In case you haven't heard, today Governor Reynolds announced schools would not return to their physical classrooms this school year. She also announced that the high school spring sports season is canceled. You can read more from the IAHSAA at this link IAHSAA.
One of the things which went through my mind after hearing her announcement was this verse from Ecclesiastes 3; For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. You can read Ecclesiastes 3 at the link.
Ecclesiastes isn't a book of the Bible we often read from but in times like this I find it helpful. It goes on to say there "is a time to be born, and a time to die."
This season never really had the opportunity to be born. We never had a first practice, first scrimmage, or first game. To be perfectly honest I wasn't sure if some of you receiving this email would even be at the first practice, or if I would have to do some gentle prodding and maybe even begging to get you to be part of the team.
Ecclesiastes goes on to say, there is a time to weep, and a time to laugh, a time to mourn, and a time to dance. Like you, I was looking forward to the season. One of the things I enjoy every year is watching a group of young men come together and develop as a team. I enjoy watching you "laugh" at practice. I enjoy watching you "dance" with the ball and as you interact with each other in practice, games, on the bus and at McDonald's. I was looking forward to seeing how much some of you improved and to see what you looked like in the new Hillcrest Ravens uniforms.
Instead of laughing and dancing, it is a time of sadness. It is a time to weep and mourn for what might have been. Who would have scored the first goal? How many win's might we have had, how many games might have gone to overtime, how many games might have been played in the rain (snow) how many saves, assists, and goals are all left to our imagination.
At the close of the chapter the writer says "So I saw that there is nothing better than that all should enjoy their work," This maybe isn't the most hopeful ending, (which is one of the reasons people don't often read Ecclesiastes) but I do find comfort in those words. I do hope you all find meaningful and enjoyable work, but in the meantime I like to think that all of you would have found enjoyment in this season regardless of the number of wins and losses, or your individual stats. What most guys remember after twenty or so years is not the record their team had, or the number of goals, tackles, and yellow cards. What most remember is the relationships built throughout the season with their teammates. And that is what I will miss most about this "season."
If some of you would find it helpful to meet via zoom sometime to talk, I would be happy to set up a time.
Blessings to you all.
