The Nemesis.....

COVID-19….No sports(how dare they)….No casinos(time for them to lose money??)…..no travel abroad…..no toilet paper(wtf??🤷🏽‍♂️), and no officiating opportunities(just got real for some)! 

For those that officiate for the love of the game, or to stay close to something that was once a huge part of their lives, this is a difficult pill to swallow, but we will come out of this and get right back on course once this subsides.

For those that do it for the money, or count on this supplemental income to pay bills, this is almost equal to strangulation/a fish out of water/ jumping out of the plane and the parachute isn’t opening, or that dream that everyone has had at one time or another where you are trying to run/escape and you aren’t getting anywhere!..….Damn!

I’ve had several basketball & volleyball tournaments cancelled recently.  I’m okay with it, and can fill the time accordingly, but I do feel for those that sponsor/put on the events, as this may have a negative impact on their financial situations.  Hopefully all will be okay and come out of this still shining! 🤞🏽🙏🏽

This pandemic has forced the vast majority of us to take a huge steps back and realize what is really important:

• Our health…as most of us are taking the necessary precautions to do what we can to remain C-19 free.  Those of us who have to be at work, don’t cut corners when it comes to being safe please!
• Our families….check on your fam please!  There are really good people out there offering to check on elderly family members for those that cannot get to their families members.
• Our communities… with restaurants, bars, etc. being forced to close, many people are/have lost their source of income and livelihood, and the rest of us can/should help out if/when we are able too. 
• Our sometimes lack of appreciation for the first responders and health care workers!  Some feel/think it’s just another job, but these are the individuals in this country that we simply cannot function without, Period!
  
  

I’ve seen people on social media do nothing by complain, criticize and bitch about this thing.  Someone said “there’s nothing you can do about it”….I beg to differ!  Now is the time where we as a community/state/nation can come together, lift one another up, adhere to the safety precautions and do our best to heal what has/is transpiring.  If you pray…please pray or is all!   If you don’t, please wish us luck and keep us in your thoughts. 

Whatever the reason we do this officiating thing, we are ALL in this together.  Hang in there …🏀🏐#StayStrong  #StaySafe. #DontBelieveEverythingYouRead.  #KeepTheFaith

 PS....somebody please tell me what this toilet hoarding 💩 is all about .

✌🏽❤️

Mark A. Brooks