By Kim Anderson

So I’m going to do something kinda nuts. I am going to do something I’ve never attempted before and had no reason to try. I’m going to test my patience, my tolerance for pain and my character. I’m going to want to give up. I’m going to need support. I’m going to run a half marathon in July (even though I’ve never ran a full mile without stopping) and I’m doing it in honor of a kid at Youth Homes. Some kid I haven’t met and probably never will. I’m doing this because I can’t come up with any more excuses. I’m doing it because I am in awe of what this kid will need to do to survive.

This kid will wake up each morning and might need to fight their urge to self medicate with drugs or alcohol. At age 4, 9, 15, 12, 17 ½ …they will need to overcome self abuse, self hatred, insecurity, chemical dependency, rape, incest, hunger, poverty, mental illness, ignorance, and negative role models that they happen to love deeply. At times they will feel small and alone and need to build themselves up with little or no support from family. And the amazing thing is they do overcome these things (or learn how to deal with them) with time, practice, self determination, love and support.
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