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Godspeed Discovery.

I couldn't help it. Today, in the midst of a work meeting I drew this...


My mind may have been soaking up information about the latest software drop being reviewed, but my heart was miles away, experiencing that eerily silent moment before launch and then tracing the path of Discovery as she launched for the final time.

She is older and wiser, more traveled, more experienced, more revered than I ever will be. She has been a constant friend, an inspiration during those all-nighters in college, an engineering marvel, a machine with near-human qualities to capture the excitement of a nation. She is a workhorse, she is amazing, she is beautiful.

And in these moments of her final mission, her last act before becoming one of America's proudest artifacts, I want to thank her. Her and her kin are truly what inspired me to want to be an astronaut, to work hard in school, to become an Aerospace Engineer, to teach kids about space, to support Teachers in Space, to move across the country, to live in the shadow of her big brother, to dedicate my life to the industry that shaped it.

Thank you Discovery, and Godspeed.

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Comments

  1. AnonymousFriday, February 25, 2011

    I watched this at work on my computer and I marvel everytime at how this all actually works. It is sad that there is only one more time to be able to watch a lift off. I can see why this is your lifes passion.
    Aunt Vicki

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  2. JenSaturday, February 26, 2011

    Hi April,
    I was sent a link to your blog after writing a post today on mine about my son not being able to pursue a career as an astronaut due to his type 1 diabetes. He is only 4 mind you, and even though he is VERY passionate about space and rockets he still says he wants to be a scientist and work in a lab!

    As soon as I landed on your page and saw your sidebar about being the first diabetic in space my eyes teared up. I just want you to know I am routing for you and every other T1 out there who has a dream to travel into space!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Nerdy AprilSunday, February 27, 2011

    Jen,

    Thank you so so much for leaving a comment. I have been a little down about my blogging lately, but your comment has just reminded me exactly why I should keep going. If I even have some remote impact on someone's life to let them know its still ok to dream even after T1, then I have accomplished something awesome. I hope you know I will be frequenting your blog now too ;-) And keep us all posted on his dreams!!

    ReplyDelete

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