They say it was the "JFK Moment" of my generation. Today is the 20th anniversary of the Challenger exploding during takeoff over Cape Canaveral. I can't believe that it's been twenty years, I really can't.
I remember that exact moment. I had just come back from lunch at my first real job as a systems analyst at Marathon Oil Company in Findlay Ohio. That was the job where my boss was Super Bowl QB Ben Roethlisburger's dad Eric was my boss (Ben was about 5 then ::::::: gulp ::::::::::. That makes me feel old too, but that's another story). I remember Eric getting us all together and telling us the news, then we went to an adjoining office to watch the television coverage. To this day, my blood runs cold when I think about it. It was a sad day.
Fast forward twenty short years or so and now it's a happy day. It's Shannon's ninth birthday today, wow! It's also TKD belt testing day, so I need to get running. When we get back from testing today, we've got a family birthday party, followed by watching one of S's friends play basketball, and a dessert party later tonight (ugh...that's a diet-buster!).
Off to CHA tomorrow way before the sun comes up, so I don't know when the next blog entry will be. Updates from Vegas will be coming and stay tuned for the exciting details as Flat Tina hits the Mean Streets of Sin City!
Putting up the February banner early this month....
I was in the 4th grade when the Challenger exploded. I remember it vividly because I was home sick that day and watching "The Price is Right" and they broke in for the Challenger. I didn't know what was going on as it happened but I can remember the somberness of the whole thing. It was later that I understood what happened.
Posted by: ginger | January 28, 2006 at 01:00 PM
I remember that day and time too Barb, something etched in my mind forever - definitely the JFK moment of our era. I was at my first real job too, listening to the radio and heard it come across - it was especially poignant because my mom worked for the company that made the heat tiles on the shuttle - so it really struck home. I'll never forget it.
Posted by: Lisa Cole | January 28, 2006 at 11:18 AM
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHANNON YOU CUTIE PIE YOU!!!! xoxo
Barb- how can it be 20 years already since the Challenger?? It just doesnt seem possible. Such a sad, sad day in our history.
I can't wait to see how much fun I will be having in Sin City!!! Just don't let Ginger hold me in front of the fountains at the Bellagio...her tears may get me kinda messy... hahahah
Love your February Banner.. too cute as always.
~T.
Posted by: Tina | January 28, 2006 at 10:02 AM