10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, Lift off!

This is what we heard as we witnessed the final space launch this morning from our living room.  What a great lesson for the day and I wanted my kids to have the opportunity to remember "the day of the final space launch."  The kids and I were all captivated by the whole experience-the kids because it's not everyday you get to watch a space shuttle launch into space and me because it's sadly the end of an era. 

Prior to the launch, Isaac located his toy launching pad, booster rockets, and space shuttle to play with while watching the "real deal."  We all listened and watched intently as the countdown took place and then as Atlantis made its way into space.  

I would be lying if I didn't say I was left melancholy after viewing the historic event.  I have been watching shuttle launches my whole life and am always awestruck.  The earliest memory I have was when I was home sick from school in the 6th grade.  The launch was a huge deal because a school teacher was being sent into space.  I remember sitting by my mom as we watched on that day as the Challenger had it's tragic ending.  I have watched Discovery and Columbia launches through the years.  I watched as John Glenn returned to space in 1998.  I was watching the day Columbia made it's decent into earth's atmosphere and desentigrated.  After watching the horrible fate, I was left numb.  So, watching the final space launch this morning was bittersweet, for watching space shuttle launches has been exciting for me over the years and I am sad to see it coming to an end. 

But then, when I was left feeling so melancholy and sad, I heard Isaac playing. 

"ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR, FIVE. COMMISSION!"

And the shuttle lifted. 

And then I felt all better.  :)

Comments

[Renee]

The girls had some friends over to watch the final launch too. We had considered making the trip to one of the last two. When the crew held up the signs "Thank you for 30 years" and "God Bless America" I teared up. I remember watching the Challenger tragedy from my social studies classroom and now Sarah is almost my age then. Cute pictures of Isaac playing. Thanks for sharing!