Anxiety needs a light source

Chuck Vandenberg, Penn City Editor-in-Chief

We watched Patrick McCaffrey step away from the Hawkeye basketball team to lay an emotional foundation on his personal life.

A few years ago, I saw the same thing in women’s tennis with Naomi Osaka.

McCaffery quickly came out and said anxiety was at the forefront of his problems. He told fans in a social media post that he needed to walk away to regain control.

Admirable, if not heroic.

I grew up in a world that didn’t talk about issues like this. you went to work You didn’t show any weakness, you had a problem, even though your family knew it existed. You just didn’t show it.

Fighting cancer at the young age of 13, McCaffrey not only showed it to his family, he showed it to all of us.

Facing death at any age is scary. I was six inches from her daughter’s face when she died. Talking about anxiety is part of therapy.

Steve Worster is a referee in southeastern Iowa and we worked together in the newspaper industry for about a year. He sent me his condolences last night, two years later, and he apologized for not attending Kelsey’s funeral.

The words are as relevant today as they were then. Not only has the network of people who deal with anxiety on a daily basis become more prominent, but their acceptance and support has become more prominent as well.

Iowans are the friendliest people in the world. My wife left for Texas and she said she won’t be returning to Iowa. But I know it’s not the people’s problem, they just don’t like the country vibe. A worldly woman who is attracted to the stubborn.

I didn’t fit that mold, so I can accept it. But if the people in this community and my family hadn’t accepted me for who I am in the post-Kelsey world, I’m sure I would be dead now.

moment.

Patrick McCaffrey tells people about his moments before it got too dark to see outside. Brave…not weak. Basketball is a game. Life is not a game, no matter what Nike or Adidas say, this is not a game.

But treating it right, talking to the right people, sharing stories, and being open about what’s going on in your life is the right way to go. It tends to extinguish the very light we need in that moment.

McCaffrey opened the window instead of drawing the curtains.

A daring blow. It should be a lesson to those who have dealt with it but say they are strong enough to deal with it themselves.

But is it worth it in battle? Yes.

not to me

Some people are private and strong. That doesn’t mean they don’t fight. Listening, speaking, and writing about struggle empowers everyone.

Steve Wurster all over the world are all around you. A pill you don’t have to swallow every night just to get 6 hours of sleep.

I’ve personally told several people that the texts checking in on me are exactly why I still see the sun every day. I am saving and rereading. they bring a smile to my face.

A doctor can prescribe, but a support system joins in.

Mental health is doable. Unfortunately, it’s not always a private workout, as it can be with bands, weights, and medicine balls.

McCaffrey begins his journey with social media posts that truly follow family and team conversations. He sent one message. It has great healing powers.

I should know you should know I do it all the time – one message to him at a time – but it’s beside the point.

Chuck Vandenberg is editor and co-owner of Pen City Current and can be reached at charles.v@pencitycurrent.com.