It has been a difficult spring, to say the least. Between the never-ending snowstorms and the ongoing fears and concerns associated with the coronavirus, cabin fever has taken on a whole new meaning in many households.
The stay-at-home order by Gov. Janet Mills has many people climbing the walls trying to find ways to entertain themselves and their families during these troubling times. After all, there are only so many games of Monopoly or Uno one can play before they start questioning their sanity. And there is only so much television one can watch before their eyes start to cross.
We have all had to learn new practices of “social distancing” and proper hand washing techniques to the point where our hands are now dried out and cracking. In the end, these little steps will hopefully help curb the spread of this new and highly contagious disease that is plaguing our world.
Yes, it means some things like haircuts and birthday parties have to be postponed. Family gatherings for Easter Sunday were a bit lonelier for some people as we have to remain sequestered in our homes instead of celebrating in church.
One group that won’t be able to get this time back is the graduating Class of 2020. This year’s senior class is missing out on so many “last time” events following the abrupt closures of schools back on March 16.
Since it is looking more and more likely that school will not return this year, these students will no longer have the chance to walk the halls of their school one more time, participate in National Honor Society ceremonies or dance with their high school sweethearts one last time at prom before heading off to start their new lives as young adults in college, the workforce or the military.
Many of these things can still happen, later this summer if things settle down, but not all of them.
Of all the things lost this school year, the cancellation of the spring sports season hits the hardest for many people. It means this year’s seniors will never get the chance to wear their school colors again on the baseball, softball, tennis or track and field arenas.
The cancellation of the spring sports season should not have come as a surprise. The writing was all there on the wall several weeks ago when the governor raised the bar on restricting people’s activities. But that does not help take the sting away from this loss.
Covering these games, matches and meets has long been among my favorite things to do here at the newspaper. After all, we spent an entire winter season cooped up in gymnasiums covering a never-ending slew of basketball games.
The spring sports season always provided an opportunity to get outside, enjoying the sunshine (later in the season of course) and smelling the grass.
Yes, it is sad that this year’s spring sports will not happen, but my hope is that the senior athletes are able to look back on this time later in their lives and smile. Their hard work and dedication to their sports is something younger athletes look up to, whether we are on the field or not.
Joseph Cyr is the assistant editor/senior reporter for the BDN weekly newspapers. He can be reached at 207-532-2281 or via email at jcyr@bangordailynews.com.
