As I enter this week’s message, the USA women’s hockey team is scoring the skates off the Swiss team like they did the Russians yesterday. What amazing athletes, some even in their fourth Olympics and 30 years old. Not watching you say? Boycotting? Too many of our “news teams” are advising us to stay away. Does anyone believe that a country that released Covid to the world, kills its own people and reigns down atrocities really cares if their Olympic ratings are low? I suggest we find more effective ways to chastise then to turn our backs on our own young adults.

I am drawn to “participate” in my own nonathletic way, admiring but never experiencing. Because if their parents who sacrificed for years can’t be in the stands, and this is their dream of a lifetime, I want to feel that magic for them. These amazing men and women held a dream and had no idea, when they were youngsters, where their Olympics would be held or that the politics of the world would interfere.

Perhaps it is in my nature to cheer. I am thinking of the parents and coaches who brought them to this point. The nights, weekends, early mornings hard fought and hard won. The room full of medals reflecting back the sacrifice of youth. They deserve the admiration and accolades regardless the location. These young athletes represent strength, bravery and focus, as if they are super human. Whether they make it to the podium or not, they will win our hearts and capture our imagination. When they believe in themselves they take us along for the ride, delivering spectacular power and promise we can each appreciate.

Ilsa blurted out,, “That’s it, Doc I can’t take it. I am a wimp and don’t want to go on with this”. Frankly, her problems were relatively minor but I was not accepting her self-assessment. I advised that she change her dialogue. Gerald met me in the hallway, threatening, ” I am gonna talk to you on Monday because I quit.”. The weekend will help his symptoms subside and he will likely keep going, but I hear the frustration. Sure there are ways to comfort the side effects , the depression and even desperation. What I foresee that they cannot is coming out the other side. Because I have witnessed this for thirty years. If, like the relay speed skaters, I could just push them forward to get through faster, I would. As these athletes know there is no shortcut. It takes every single day and more fortitude then you ever knew you had. Your loved ones will be in dismay because they can’t take the pain any more and they feel helpless in your journey. They are not. Today I tell all of you. Nothing worth achieving is done without encouragement. When I tell a patient that they will get through, their eyes brighten. When they hear that others have the same effects but survive it, they want to believe. Just the simple words “You are doing great” when they think they are failing is often enough.

So please reach out to those who need your words of encouragement today. If you are the one in need, tune into the Olympics and watch magic and miracles occur. Tap into your own well of faith. You can do this. You will get through. You will overcome fear and pain. You are stronger then you could ever believe. I am cheering for you.

By the way the score is now 8-zip! Go USA!