The Boston Marathon...Year #5

When Mary and Sharon opened the Respite Center six years ago on Marathon day, they had no idea how important the Marathon would become to the children at the center. The legacy of the Marathon dates back to 1996, the one hundredth running, the very same week Sharon’s ten year old son Michael died. “I remember all the hubbub about the Marathon” says Sharon, “and I remember Michael clinging to his last days of life. The Marathon seemed so insignificant. How could running be that important?” In the year following Michael’s death the construction of the Respite Center neared its completion. Although much of the passion seemed to be lost, the Respite Center had a life of its own. So many people rallied to its cause, while the founders struggled with a dream that seemed to have died with Michael. Michael’s death brought $158,000 in memorial gifts. One of Michael’s friends mother tells the story of how her son brought his $13.58, every cent he had, and said “I want to give this to Michael’s House.” She was so moved that their family sent an additional $5000 along with it. She continued “Because of my son, Michael’s legacy became important to all of us. Michael taught my son to give.” As the giving continued, the spark in Michael’s mom slowly came back to life.

As the anniversary of Michael’s death was nearing so did the 101st running of the Marathon. The center was asked to open its doors to provide a place for the wheelchair athletes to stay. The link between the Center and the Marathon continued to grow. Marathon day once again was mixed with the insignificance of running and the legacy of Michael. In 1998 the Boston Athletic Association and the Boston Marathon invited the Respite Center to become one of their sixteen selected charities. They would give five waivers to the Center, allowing five runners to run the marathon without meeting he rigorous qualifying times that others had to reach in order to run. As the 102nd running neared Michael’s Mom thought “I can not stand on the side lines again. This year I want to run.” Both Mary and Sharon laced up their shoes and took on the challenge of the Marathon. It all seemed so perfect until Heartbreak Hill. As Sharon started up the hill, Mary remembers Sharon’s words “This is crazy, I have had too much suffering in my life, I will never suffer this self imposed torture again.” In the end $64,000 was raised, an amount that would triple over the next four years, the torture began to fade.

Since those agonizing days of the 100th running, the Marathon has raised over $675,000 providing 54,000 hours of respite for families who need time off but do not have the ability to pay for services. As the 107th running begins, Michael’s Mom along with co-founder Mary McQueeney will line up in Hopkinton to begin the 26.2 mile run to Boston. They will struggle up heartbreak hill and complete their fifth marathon. This time with a knowledge that pushing yourself beyond what you think is possible can heal. They also run with a deep gratitude to the Boston Athletic Association for allowing this world class event to also help those who are not as fortunate or able. In the end, these past years have brought a powerful understanding of just how significant the Boston Marathon really is.

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