Dear Readers,

This past Sunday I was in NYC cheering on my son-in-law, Patrick, who ran the marathon, his first. It's a grueling four borough (Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx & Manhattan) 26.2 mile race. We saw Patrick at the half-way point at the Pulaski Bridge where he was pumped, smiling and cruising, then hours later watched as he ran the last 200 yards to the finish line, obviously struggling in pain.

The hours spent watching the marathon turned into one of the most inspirational experiences I've had. First to begin were the wheelchair racers, racing despite being chair-bound, then the elite runners passed, then everyone else who wanted the challenge that included: people who had legs amputated ran on "racing blades," seniors jogged along, groups ran to raise money for charities, blind runners had running guides, and the list goes on.

I witnessed some of Patrick's training, how he pushed himself to extend the length of his runs week after week. And the weekend before the race he became ill with flu-like symptoms, but took meds, and drank gallons of fluids to cure himself by Sunday the 7th, but swore he would run no matter how he was feeling. At mile 20, Patrick said after the race, he began experiencing leg cramps. All he could do was walk out for a minute or two, then continue running. But in the end he had to endure, so he put his head down and instead of thinking about the 6.2 miles ahead of him, step-by-step he continued to the end.

Today, as I began to process what being at the marathon meant to me, I thought that for children who are trying to overcome anxiety there are similar features to running 26.2 miles. It takes determination to overcome anxiety. It is challenging to face fears, to go out the door every morning while contending with symptoms of anxiety that are disturbing and scary. It takes courage to continue training mind and body to stop jump-starting the fight or flight when the school experience feels filled with dread. It takes perseverance for a child to go on when a roadblock or pitfall stand in the way.

I think one of the most difficult aspects of overcoming anxiety is accepting that it will take time to feel free. Adults who are anxious struggle with this concept. Children have an even harder time with acceptance because trying to cope with daily anxiety leads to feelings of helplessness, frightening to a child.

Combating anxiety is no sprint. It is a marathon, and children have to learn how to pace themselves, to let time pass—in the moment of the anxious situation as well as the long run. It is the step-by-step, mile-by-mile small goals and achievements that help children eventually cross the finish line.

Please send comments and questions.

Warm regards,
Diane