In my childhood, I saw Neil Armstrong walk on the moon. In my young adulthood, I heard the Challenger explosion by radio. Now I’m raising a rocket scientist. I will never take a successful launch or landing for granted. I hold my breath. I cheer.
In this concluding Discovery mission, dramatic launch decisions had to be made during the countdown. I don’t think I could do that. I hesitate to press “Publish” on my blog posts. So I celebrate the more courageous among us.
And I share someone’s YouTube home video instead of the official ones. NASA spokespeople are stoic. They depend on us to do the cheering.
Text © Gwyn Nichols 2011
Photo from video uploaded by William, AKA Bullet1984
Writers' Resort LLC 
I too admire the courage and ability of those who choose to go where no man has gone before. I remember in 4th grade going to an Assembly in school where we would all listen and do the count down as they launched. It was history in the making & so exciting. It still is amazing and thrilling. I so enjoyed the Utube video. Hearing all those kids laughing and yelling with excitement brought it all back. Thanks.
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