The Root of My Slow Miracle Blessings: A Public Service Announcement

by Maria Theresa Maggi on February 13, 2022

“Washed Up Tree Trunk with Roots,” memory sketch by Maria Theresa Maggi

On Valentine’s Day 2022, it is my 14th anniversary eating low fat whole food plant based (and vegan) and the 26th anniversary of receiving the diagnosis of MS. I try to mark this day each year with a post. This year I’m obsessed with the idea of roots and foundations. This tree with its root ball currently washed up on our beach has kept this image in the forefront for me.

As you all know from my recent post “In The Running,” I serendipitously took up jogging one morning on the beach last August, to lift myself out of the sadness of missing my dear foster grandbaby. I haven’t looked back since. Every morning on the beach or on the streets of my little neighborhood if the tide is too high, Cotton and I are jogging. This has caused some stir of notice from my friends and neighbors here—since they notice I have more energy and am doing something I didn’t seem like I could ever be able to do.

I’ve noticed it’s made my legs stronger as well. The other day I was squatting in the yard to plant some early greens in a pot in seed form and I noticed with delight that I was quite comfortable just squatting there and would have no problem getting up. My legs have become strong enough to allow this more easily, and I am glad, because it’s one of my favorite positions and I have been sad to see my stamina in it erode slowly over time. I welcome this noticeable improvement.

It’s easy to say it’s the jogging every morning bringing about these improvements in stamina. It reminds me of when I got Romeo years ago and people started to notice I was walking all over the place with him back in Moscow. They immediately attributed this ability to his presence.

And it was his presence, just as the jogging has improved strength and stamina and losing those last couple of pounds (though I don’t weigh myself or count). But what everyone is so willing to miss –because they don’t want to have to do it themselves?—is that the way I eat provides the foundation that makes these things possible. If I was eating any other way at this point in my life, I’d be fighting to keep myself out of the wheelchair—or would mostly likely already be in it.

So this this just a little reminder—and a salute—to the way I’ve eaten for the last 14 years—and how it’s strengthened my body and clarified my mind so that I could realize a relationship with a dog I’ve always wanted, and I could find the wherewithal to try jogging several yards on the sand when I had no idea if I could. Eating low fat whole plant foods makes all the best things in my life possible. And so, Happy Anniversary to me! And deep gratitude to this movement that has rescued the quality of my life and lifted it to such a wonderful experiential viewpoint. And thank you to you all for wanting to read along about the good things that have come into my life as a result—which includes all of you. Much love, dear hearts, this Valentine’s Day and always.

Heart Envelope chalk pastel by Maria Theresa Maggi

“Heart Envelope,” chalk pastel by Maria Theresa Maggi

 

Maria (moonwatcher)

PS: If any of you, especially long time readers, have favorite or memorable blog posts from here, please tell me which ones in the comments. Thank you!

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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Silvia February 14, 2022 at 9:52 am

Dear Maria, this is so inspirational!
And yes, the food is the foundation. I am so impressed by the jogging!

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2 Maria Theresa Maggi February 14, 2022 at 6:07 pm

Oh Silvia, thank you so much! I really appreciate your long time support! xo

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3 Veronica February 14, 2022 at 3:24 pm

Happiest of anniversaries! Of all the things that came of your diagnosis, I am always grateful it had us meet. I’ve always loved your creativity and persistence, and the benefits you’re getting from jogging only adds to that. It’s like you’re giving MS the middle finger. 😉 This way of eating truly is transformational, both body and soul. I’m glad you decided to share this part of you (and so much more) so many years ago. Much love to you this Valentine’s Day! xoxo

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4 Maria Theresa Maggi February 14, 2022 at 6:07 pm

Thank you so much, you Dear Veronica! I am so very glad we met too! Much love back to you and a Happy Valentine’s Day to you and Mark! 🙂

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5 Gloria February 15, 2022 at 6:37 am

A Very Big Congratulations to you!

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