I very recently retired from working Catholic middle school games. After more than a half a century of "wear and tear" athletic activities, I have developed patellofemoral pain syndrome in both knees, and osteoarthritis, and a bone spur, in my right ankle. I finally realized that I need rest between assignments and, at my age, can no longer work games every night. Rest between games, elastic flexibility exercises, inserts in my day job work shoes, expensive stability running shoes, lots of aspirin, and knee braces, will, hopefully, extend my high school officiating career a few more years.
With no more Catholic middle school games, I now find myself with a lot of extra "stuff", as well as a decreased laundry load. Maybe I'll pack a complete spare bag and leave it in the trunk of my car for the season. Maybe I can "save the day" for myself, a colleague, or fill in a last minute "emergency" assignment without stopping off at home.
After officiating for thirty-five years, I'm starting to see something at the end of the tunnel. Unfortunately, it isn't light.