Tonight I witnessed history.
It was the 150th NASA space mission and the first liftoff for Space Shuttle Endeavor in five years. I happened to be 14 miles away watching with my very own eyes.
I guess this happens to be one of the pluses of living in Florida for the summer. I didn't even realize the space shuttle was launching until yesterday when my Mother called me and mentioned the fact. (Which is weird that I didn't know because I'm always up to date and usually don't miss something big like this.) My Father had seen it on t.v. and suggested we go during Mom's trip down here. Now my Mother was all game. She hasn't missed one shuttle mission in her life, and she has been through the celebrations and tragedies of each mission; from Discovery, to Challenger, to Columbia, to Endeavor. Tonight was not only history for America, but one of those dreams of life come true for my mom. It was so cool to be a part of it.
I myself have always wanted to see a shuttle launch live too. Space, and it's vastness amaze me. It reminds me how big and powerful our creator is. I've always been fascinated by space and even in fourth grade I was able and lucky enough to do a huge study unit on space. I won't go into details but it did involve my own space mission with classes mates to the Moon and Mars. Let's just say, you can make one really cool space helmet with a milk jug and orange cellophane. I won't mention the space walk. Ok, so it was more like rolling around on the gym floor in front of our parents and classmates but I was in fourth grade and space was cool. I'm a nerd ok. I even wanted to go to space camp after that study.
Well, I won't lie, I still do. I thought about being an astronaut for a long time, and the thought made it's way back into my mind tonight. Sure, it'd take about fifteen more years of school and training, but space?? Every part of the training would be worth it. I decided to look up qualifications tonight and my dream was shattered. (Besides the fact that I'd need years of studying science and math.. .which I hate.) I kind of shrugged that off thinking I could push my way through it anyway. As long as I got to see stars. But, go figure there would be a height requirement of 64 inches, one I can't meet. I suppose that is God's way of telling me I can dream, I can enjoy and pursue life, but being an astronaut was never part of my own created plan. He has those certain plans and passions set apart for each of us. And each one is different. My hat is off to those that dream and conquer though. Like Barbara Morgan. What an amazing character. To pursue the dream Christa McAullife had and to be the first teacher in space. Those are the people who will be remembered. They and their dreams are the ones I will never forget. They are the ones that give us tiny nerds hope for our own lives.
I guess sometimes we all want to be remembered. It's part of our human wiring, and though I'll never be an astronaut and I may never be remembered for something grand myself, I remember that everything I still do counts for my future Kingdom. The astronaut inside me may never grow (no pun intended) but the Christian with her own dreams will, and great things like history keep me going for my own mission in life. And that one, is to simply live faithfully. All 61 3/4 inches of me.
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