Dear Friends,
Today I am reposting this to take you back in time to a sad, sad day in the history of our nation...Thirty Three years ago today, 1/28/1986, we were all horrified as we watched the Space Shuttle Challenger blow up as it was launched into space, with 7 courageous, wonderful crew members on board. I'm sure all of us who were living at that time can remember where we were when this disastrous tragedy occurred. I was living in Gainesville, Georgia, and our kids were out of school for the day due to an unusually extremely frigid, below freezing morning. We actually were visiting with some friends so our kids could have something to do when the news came on the TV...and from then on our eyes were glued to the set as our hearts were breaking.
My mother and father were at their home in Florida, the home I grew up in, and one advantage to their home was that one could always get a good view of the rocket/space shuttle launches from the back yard...even though Cape Kennedy (Canaveral) was some 100 miles away from our home.
Because this particular launch was to be so historical, my mother was right there watching with her camera in hand (I wonder where I got that trait????), and now I am privileged to have these shapshots, with my mother's own written narrative on the back of each picture, telling the sad and tragic story of the explosion of the Space Shuttle Challenger. Therefore, I am sharing this bit of history with you today, on the 33rd anniversary of that horrific event. I hope you can decipher my mother's handwriting...and can sense the horror she felt as she witnessed this sorrowful disaster. I'm sorry the photos aren't clearer, but they are pretty good for 1986.
I will let my mother's notes explain each preceding picture:
"Lift up your eyes to the heavens,
and look on the earth beneath.
For the heavens will vanish away like smoke,
The earth will grow old like a garment,
And those who dwell in it will die in like manner;
But MY salvation will be forever,
And My righteousness will not be abolished."
Isaiah 51:6
"I, even I, am He who comforts you."
Isaiah 51:12a
Pam, thank you for this reminder of that very sad day when tragedy struck The Challenger and those brave souls inside it.
ReplyDeleteI do remember that sad day, I was watching as it went up and then......
ReplyDeleteSo Sad!
That was a very, very sad day. I remember it well. I was at work and everyone was in shock. They let us turn on the tv so we could watch the terrible news.
ReplyDeleteOh my, what historic photos! I remember watching the TV and seeing this. I remember the first school teacher to be part of the crew. So very sad.
ReplyDeleteThank your for sharing your mother's pictures.
ReplyDeleteSuch sad memories, photos and letters Pamela. I remember that day very well. None of us were able to do anything but watch the tragedy on TV and we spent the whole day praying for all those involved. It was a day of tears. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI was watching it while on my morning walk and listening on my portable radio while I walked, when all of a sudden I saw it explode. I instantly knew "something" was wrong! I hurried back to the house to watch the TV coverage! A sad,sad day!!
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, such a sad and tragic day, etched in my mind's eye. Thank you for sharing your mother's photos with us as we remember those courageous souls who were willing to put it all on the line for the progress of our country.
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Pamela!
Yes, I remember that day and where I was. We all gathered round the little TV at work in silence to watch and listen. It was horrifying. What a great thing to have those photos and your mother's notes. Wow.
ReplyDeletePam, Thank you for this reminder of a truly tragic day in our nation's history. I remember this well. I was in junior high (eighth grade) and heard about it in class; I remember walking by a science classroom where the teacher had placed a TV where it could be seen in the hallway. Thank you for sharing you mother's photos.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
I was at work and remember how devastating it was for our country. Thanks for sharing your Mom's personal account. So very sad!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this story with me by photos and texst.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness! What a powerful post. What a very awful day that was.
ReplyDeleteEveryone was in tears.
I remember that day like it was yesterday. So very sad.
ReplyDeleteIt was a very sad day Pam. I remember being at home that day with sick little ones. I was sitting on my couch with my kids and I just couldn't believe it! Just moments I was seeing happy, smiling faces as they walked their final walk to board the shuttle. In the twinkling of any eye......Hugs and blessings my friend, Cindy
ReplyDeleteOh Pam! This is stunning but not in a good way. What a horrific feeling that must have been for your parents to see that, even from 100 miles away.
ReplyDeleteWe were living in Northern Virginia at the time. My kids were not in school, either. I think it was a teacher work day or something like that. We were at the mall and walked past an electronics store that had all the TVs turned out with the shuttle accident. That's how we found out. As soon as I realized what was happening, I scuttled my 3 children back out of the store to a railing and we bowed our heads to pray for the situation. My children were ages 13, 11, and 9 at the time.
Thank you for your thoughts and comments, Barbara. Our kids were 15, 13, and 9. Interesting that we each have two children the same age! And yes, it was a terrible thing to witness. We also prayed.
DeleteCorrection: the TVs in the store were turned ON (not out).
ReplyDeleteAmazing documentation of a sad day. I was living in Orlando at the time and you sure could see all the launches when they went up. I was at work that day and we and our customers all stepped out into the parking lot to watch the launch. I remember when there was that puff of smoke and then the trail went in two directions....one of my coworkers said "something's not right." We ran inside and pulled the TV from the breakroom and put it on the front counter. We and anyone who came in the store was glued to the coverage.
ReplyDeleteI know how horrified we all were that day, regardless of whether we were watching "close by", as you and my parents were, or even from the television. Much like the horror we felt on 9-11. Just an unbelievable tragedy. Thank you for your comments today. Do you still live in Florida? We live in Salt Springs.
DeletePam: I remember that day. I had an early morning appt. for x-rays,the kind you have to prepare for. I was laying on the couch watching cable channels on television. When I turned over to regular broadcast networks, I heard of the disaster. I believe it was the first time I wondered about any one who died and the condition of their souls with God.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this again, Pam. I remember this tragic event well--it was huge news at my junior high (I was in eighth grade)--actually it was huge national news. Events like this change us, hopefully for the better.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!