Twenty Years

[dcseain]

happypete posted a brief memoir about the Challenger disaster. That brought back a flood of complex, rather melancholy, memories for me. It was a Sunday, and i was finishing some homework in my room.

I think most of you know my father died of ALS in September of 1986, right at the beginning of the fall semester of my sophomore year of high school. He'd been ill, and bedridden, since early fall 1985. At the point that the Challenger exploded, he could still move his arms and write; he could vocalize still at that point, but couldn't talk.

So anyway, i'm doing my homework/sorting papers when Roberta, the day nurse for my father, appeared in my doorway and said that my father wanted me to come see something. I was a bit annoyed and asked if it could wait. She returned momentarily and said that he was insistent. I went into his room, and he pointed at the television, which was tuned to CNN. I stood there, incredulous, as the explosion was replayed over and over with commentary. That was the last time my father summoned me. Interests in space, science fiction, and maritime disasters are three things we shared in common.

Coincidentally, i had a personal connection to the Challenger. When Jefferson accepted me, they assigned a teacher, Judy [Something], to be a liaison to our family, due to my father's illness. She was a Spanish teacher, and was replaced by Barbara Dent. Anyway, she was officially employed by the school until December of 1985, when she left to go to full-time to NASA as part of the Teacher in Space program. Christa Mcauliffe was the teacher who was fatefully selected to go up in the Challenger. Ms. Judy remained with NASA, and may yet work there for all i know.

It's amazing how poignant a memory can be twenty years later. :) I also remember being interviewed by CNN in Mr. Sane's 3rd period (or was the 3rd class called 4th period that year) biology class the next day. And unlike happypete we lived in Prince William County, so i saw it on Cablevision, many years before they were eaten by Comcast.

Comments

[ohio-geek.livejournal.com]

I can sympathize. I was in my sophmore year of HS when the Challenger disaster happened. My English teacher at the time, Mr. Lee, had been passionately following the whole 'Teacher in Space' angle. He had been in the running but didn't make it past the second or third round of selection. My most vivid memory of that day is walking into the classroom, just before class, and the first thing I see is Mr. Lee sitting at his desk, holding his head in his hands. I turned to look at the TV which was on in front of the room, and I remember, it was like time had suddenly stopped, as I saw the explosion for the first time.

[nosebeepbear.livejournal.com]

I can't tell if that memory of your dad is a bright spot or if it makes the whole thing sadder for you. Perhaps both.

*hugs you*

[dcseain.livejournal.com]

Thanks.

It does mean that the Challenger thing and Dad are inextricably linked. It was a very much sadder, but at the same time, it's my last memory of him with any ability to move, and one of the very last times i know we actually connected untill he asked to be removed from life support.

I was REALLY surprised by the strength of the emotions that came with the memory. Not displeased, just surprised.