Web Log Entry #0039, Saturday, February 1, 2003: Day 75

Anchorage Sunrise: 9:23am Sunset: 5:05pm High Temp: 29° Low Temp: 26° This morning the space shuttle Columbia broke up as it descended through the atmosphere. It happened so very far away, yet we knew about it up here so quickly. I favor the space program, but I don't keep track of it like some people do. So I don't know those who were on this mission; never met them, didn't know their names before today. Yet this event has tinged the whole day with sadness for me. I grieve for their families and friends, and their loss. It must be terrible. I don't know if mainstream media will make this observation, but nobody goes into space involuntarily. All of the crew worked for years to be selected, to train, to prepare. Four of them made only one trip into space. If there's any consolation in this tragedy, it is that those seven people died doing what they loved. It may be small comfort, but they all wanted to go into space badly enough to risk their lives to do so. At least they all got that wish. May the Blessings Be.

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© 2003 Evan M. Nichols