24 years ago

[arib]

As most of you may know, today was the 24th anniversary of the Challenger disaster. While I have several memories of that day and how it affected me, one really stood out.

Please bear in mind that I was probably an even bigger space travel geek at 7 than I am now at 31.

-The school I went to (NEHA) was really small, and they didn't usually do things like cancel class to watch events on TV (George H.W. Bush's inauguration was a notable exception), so I didn't find out the way so many other kids did, live as it happened.

-After school, I attended what I'm pretty sure was my first Cub Scout meeting. The pack leader didn't mention it, so I didn't find out then, either.

-After scouts, dad picked me up from the JCC. My sharpest memory of that day was sitting in our parked car, while my dad explained what had happened, and warned me that it would still be playing on the TV news when I got home.

Looking back, that conversation meant a lot, even if I didn't realize it at the time.

I know you read my blog from time to time, so you'll probably get to this sooner or later.

Thanks, Abba.