Post Launch

We awoke to the blue skies and the warmth to which we have grown accustomed. Our week foray into Florida turned into more than 4 weeks. Driving north up A1A we said good bye to the palm trees, the roseate spoonbills and the pelicans which we so enjoy watching. As we passed over the causeway leaving Cocoa Beach I had the same thoughts of a year ago. Will we ever return to this very special place? It is checked off of my “bucket list”. Does that mean it is behind us?

The view from the causeway showed the empty launch pad 39A which elicited thoughts very much different from a year ago. The weeks of jockeying our schedule, bouncing from place to place, staying in contact with the Steves and, finally, resolution.

Other than the spectacle of the launch two other thoughts flooded my mind. One, the Steves. They are a family full of faith and they live out devotion to others. How fortunate we were to experience this event with them; to share the highs and lows, the fear and frustration, the joy, and the blessing.

Secondly. Space travel - the true project without borders. Seventeen countries are involved in the space station. STS-119 carries a Japanese astronaut to replace one who has been in the space station for four months. They will be housed in modules built and delivered by the Russians and they will use a robotic arm built by the Canadians. A true coalition. As the launch neared yesterday, a small group broke out in song, singing “God Bless America”. But it didn’t catch on and the chorus soon died away. Those gathered included French, Germans, Japanese, Chinese, Indians and others. Somehow the song didn’t fit this time. Patriotic we are. Nationalistic we are not. Perhaps the words of John F. Kennedy were more applicable at that moment.

“We are vowed that we not see it (space) governed by a hostile flag of conquest but by a banner of peace.”

If only that were true on earth and not just in space.

The pictures:

How Barb and I looked before the launch.

What we felt like before the launch.

The Antonelli friends gathering for the view.

Our view just before the launch.

Barb and I arrived in Atlanta in time to have my birthday dinner with Ben and Penny, my first birthday with Ben since he was a senior in high school, 1994. On Tuesday we flew home. As Cailyn picked us up at the airport, the air was chilled and drippy. We could see our breath. Barb starts work tomorrow, Wednesday. We are back to reality.