The other day I watched two water droplets weave and snake their way down my kitchen window. The one on the right had the early lead, but the one on the left was gaining quickly.

I found myself rooting for the one on the left.

She had heart. She had gumption.

As the tears made their way down the pane, the one on the left inched closer to the lead, but she was running out of glass.

Finally, the one on the left overtook the one on the right just before they disappeared, hitting the frame and dissolving into history.

I gave a fist pump. Victory to the one on the left.

Such is sports in the time of corona.

With the COVID-19 pandemic causing the cancellation of most sports, a fan has to get the exhilaration of competition somewhere.

In all seriousness, we live in surreal and trying times. The coronavirus is bigger than sports — it’s bigger than everything, really. I’d gladly trade all them if it means saving lives.

And that’s what we’re doing. We’re all making sacrifices for the greater good.

Sports are still out there to be consumed, however. And in some ways they are needed more than ever — they are a welcome diversion.

The NFL is still conducting business as usual. Free agency is roaring and Tom Brady is a Buccaneer. The Steelers added another Watt — if they somehow acquired J.J., they’d complete the Watt trifecta and how could they lose then? And big names like Cam Newton have been jettisoned.

The NFL, MLB and NHL networks are also airing classic games, an oasis in this sports desert.

I watched Mark Buehrle’s perfect game and Super Bowl XL this week as if they were new.

And there’s always dodge-juggle (it’s real) and footvolley (also real) on ESPN.

Locally, things are more challenging.

The PIAA has put a pause on everything. Thousands of high school athletes are in limbo and it hurts. I know it hurts because I’ve talked to a bunch of them. I know it hurts because I’m hurting, too.

I’ll never again complain about covering a baseball game in 30-degree weather with snow spitting. I’ll never again grouse about getting rain whipped into my face by a strong wind at a track meet.

I’d give anything to be cold and miserable at a high school sporting event right now.

I’d give anything for some normalcy.

What I am amazed by is the resilience of these athletes. They know their seasons and proms and graduations hang in the balance and they know that stinks, but they are doing their best to power through.

They are finding ways to stay in shape and stay sharp in case the games resume. They are aware of the big picture, of how this is saving lives, and they are doing their part.

They are strong and mature and I believe with them as future leaders, we’ll all be just fine.

They are also innovative. Technology has allowed them to do workouts posted online by coaches and trainers. Freeport baseball players are in the process of filming 2-minute lessons for youth coaches and parents and players. Athletes are grabbing a softball and a tee and hitting into a net in their backyards.

This is just temporary, but I think things will never be the same. That might be a good thing.

It may be cliche but it’s cliche because it’s so true: you never know what you have until it’s gone.

Everyone is appreciating sports a lot more now. No one again is going to take playing any game for granted.

I know I won’t again take watching for granted.

There will come a time when this will be over. It may take a month, two months or six. But it will pass.

We will win — just like the feisty left droplet did over the right.

Mike Kilroy is a staff writer for the Butler Eagle.