Hope & Desire, Issue 38
Maggie Bertsch is similar to everyone else – she never really expected so much to be affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19). It was a large dose of reality for her, especially when considering the junior softballer was able to complete her season and she has had to watch so many others have theirs wiped out in an instant. In writing for Mullen Today’s Unordinary Times, Bertsch shares her training, outlook, schooling and solid hope for a return to the way things used to be through perseverance.
As we roll with the punches of uncertainty that have been brought to us during this crisis, our lives have been turned upside down.
With the stripping of all things familiar, we’ve had to adapt and overcome this new way of life.
Although all aspects have been difficult, the hardest part of it all is the sports factor. As a junior at Mullen, I was able to complete my third year of softball, but my heart goes out to all the student-athletes who weren’t given this opportunity. Most of us were never aware that so much would be taken from us so fast, and we never expected to endure this type of change.
Change can be a difficult thing and without the escape of school and sports, we’ve had to face the problems of the world head on and see life through a different lens. Given this, there’s more time for thinking, more time for family and more time for self-reflection. Students staying at home have definitely taken advantage of this and most athletes like myself have also taken this time to develop and further our athletic skills.
Although not able to work collectively with both my (off-season) team and Mullen team, individual work at home has taken up a majority of my time. Between tee work and long toss with my twin sister, my preparation for the future season has not ceased since the beginning of this deranged time. Tournaments and practices have been cancelled, but hope for future ones still remains intact.
Our Lasallian community has faced challenges before and although this one is possibly the most severe, there is no doubt that we will persevere through it. A desire for a brighter future sparks hope in our hearts and soon the spark will turn to flame.
Until the conclusion of this calamity, we’ll continue to live this unstable lifestyle. We may not have access to school or sports at the moment, but we still have access to hope. Hope is not cancelled, happiness is not cancelled and a desirable future is not cancelled.
We will persevere through this and life will revert to the way it once used to be.
Until that time comes, athletes will continue to work at home, students will continue to learn online and individuals will continue to overcome this difficult time.
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