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Running the Race -  2/07

Late summer 1958 my kindergarten year
Everyone around me filled with nervous fear
Despite the Salk vaccine hope polio would disappear
The polio virus crept right up and knocked me in the rear.

Dancing all around the gym feeling free just like a bird
I dropped to the ground just like a stone and noone said a word.
The pain it was so searing-the diagnosis even worse
"It's polio" the doctor said...he was abrupt and terse.

Called one of the 'lucky ones' I had a 'mild case'
But with the other athletes I could never keep their pace.
Miss Holly physical therapist, curly hair and a warm, broad smile
It tempered the pain of being apart - to walk I'd take awhile.

I always wore those 'special' shoes the kids they poked and teased
With no support and much abuse with childhood I wasn't pleased.
But put nose to the grindstone and learned all that I could
I couldn't kick a ball but my grades were always good.

Years went by and no more thought to polio did I give
I accepted the limp and everything else and decided my life I would live.
But symptoms of weakness and muscle pain did grow
I kept a stoic face hoping noone else would know.

Life no longer was my own I struggled through each day
Suffered in silence, isolated from friends-trying to keep depression at bay.
And with the grace of glorious God my world it opened wide
I discovered there was a Post Polio team and they were on my side.

Using wheelchair to travel, set limits on what I could do,
Resulted in joy to realize I could live life anew.
Celebrated my body- creaks, groans and need for a brace
While in my mind I focused on winning a 10K race.

Sought out paths for healing and my spirit flew free
For the first time in life, I could truly be me.
The chains are gone and possibilities abound
I'm a tree with my roots planted firmly in ground.

I'm now off the sidelines, no need to sit and whine
So much gratitude fills my heart and love and beauty shine.
After all these years I can join the loving human race
I exceed all expectations and now I set the pace.

Marathon Metamorphosis - 5/7/08

Pounding pavement, feeling strength
the journey now begun
training for the race of my life
a 26.2 mile run.
Feeling God in every step
in every beat of my heart
I undertake this challenge
as a new chapter of my life I start.

I ran around in circles
carrying baggage by the ton,
destination was survival
hardened shell let in no one.
Fear and worry doubts prevailed,
adrenaline in my veins
a headless horseman running wild
no one to take the reins.

Stopping in my tracks I froze
no longer could I move -
clawing, fighting had to cease
there was nothing more to prove.
God's grace touched like a magic wand,
a softness and a glow
emerging from a troubled past
my blood began to flow.

Loving teachers lit the way
their love a healing balm -
focusing on who I am
now brings a sense of calm.
Stretching every muscle
feeling God in every cell
wholeness now a blessing
out of prison - no more hell.

The race is still a year away
each day my dream I see
mind, body, spirit tuning
turning toward the Voice of Thee.
Flexing what had once been stiff
to brace against the pain
old habits die and I'm reborn
to write a new refrain.

And when the starting gun goes off
poised with strength and grace
the thunder of the running feet
will help me set my pace.
But the starting line's the finish
my race already won
achieving the impossible
preparing for this run.

The healing power of self love
and faith to spark the flame
transformed me from a victim
who was filled with so much shame.
Unearth my buried treasures
my inheritance I find
connected to my Loving God
in my heart and mind.

And when I cross the finish line
the greatest cheer of all
has been this magnificent journey
of answering God's call.

Guiding Footsteps -  8/27/08

Connection with my Inner Source
and who I am today
God's strength and guiding wisdom
shine the light along my way.
Images of wounded self -
may flash - I let them go
but I bless and praise and hold her
and say, "I love you so."

God's given me a brand new life -
I'm running with the wind
Transformed from fear and weakness -
darkened thoughts I now rescind.
Olympians and champions
the images I hold
Training mind and body
while I'm going for the gold.

Believing I can do this
with my heart and with my soul
God's love to guide my footsteps
on the path to being whole.
The training is the journey
feeling Spirit Body grow
Discovering my wondrous self
to whom the world I show.

And when the race is over
with a medal on my chest
To signify what's possible
when life put me to the test.

Letting Go - 10/24/08

The pressure was pounding - all the stuff in my head
Living by thinking - I was spiritually dead.
Living in fear is no way to live
Trapped in my body with no love to give.
My gait so unbalanced - no energy flows
It was stuck in my head couldn't flow to the toes.
God sent me angels and visions and dreams
To unleash all the anguish - the cries and the screams.
Through connecting with Source Who understands all
I cleared out the blockage and heard God's Voice call.
She beckoned with Love - a sweet tenderness found
She helped me to plant myself firmly on ground.
To straighten my spine and open soul's door
To let my voice flow and be silenced no more.
Creating new pathways - new thoughts filled with light
Checking the thoughts wrapped in darkness of night.
Scales fall from the eyes - clarity comes into view
I've waited with longing to live my life with You.
Let freedom and joy and celebration ring out
Drowning out fears and worries and doubt.
Let's all join together in prayer and song
Blessed by the Spirit renewed, whole and strong!

Sixteen Miles - 12/31/08

Polio, post polio, cancer scare and more
Mind, body, spirit memories that inside cells did store.
Personal trainer, energy healer, a faith deep in my soul
Teachers You have sent to me to help me now be whole.

Brother here for Christmas and a change in our routine
The past alive in conversation - need to keep my soul pristine.
Focusing on goodness and see only love and light
Dispelling past and future keep the moment now in sight.

Sixteen miles - a training run - not feeling at my best
Wanted to just stay in bed and get a little rest.
Temperatures were mild but strong headwind in our face
I felt Your Loving Presence and surrounded by Your grace.

Dizziness came over me the first time 'round the track
Hydration and dig deep within to bring the present back.
Release the doubts, the fears inside-time for wounds to heal
Fulfill my highest purpose - my power now I feel.

Listen to my iPod the shuffle songs my friend
Hear You speaking to me - to Your Voice I now attend.
The power of the wind is strong, but I am stronger yet
My mind and Spirit drive me, my determination set.

As Team McManus journeyed on,we felt You as our guide
Guarding every foot step,running by our side.
And when this run was over, we saw the Truth so clear
We can run the Boston Marathon, the finish line is near!

Courage - January 5, 2009

The fear of ice and snow and slush embedded in my soul
A training run in winter - the path to Being whole.
A winter scene - Jamaica Pond - a feast for eyes' delight
To witness nature's splendor and behold this glorious sight.

A leaf - a tiny dancer - skating free without a sound
God's breath directs her movements, as She guides her twirling 'round.

Families of ducks decide to walk or take a dip
A comedy of errors into icy water slip.

The branches now bejeweled with ice bend with loving Grace
Sparkling diamonds' anchor water's surface hold in place.

God's hand a glove of glistening snow hugs rocks along the wall
Their heads peek out reminding me I'm answering God's call.

A scene I'd never witness if I let my fear take hold
Courage triumphed, steppin' out with footsteps sure and bold.

Knowing that the pain subsides and Spirit can prevail
The Marathon is beckoning - through those miles I shall sail.