American Dream

Darryl and I have lived in this house for 14 1/2 years now. We have saved our pennies and watched our bank account, waiting for the time when we could truly make this the house we always wanted. I always felt a tinge of pride, thinking that we had been smart and careful and done what only a few people can say they've done too. Well, so much for my overblown pride and false sense of accomplishment. All I can say is that now I've seen a space shuttle up close (somewhat), it puts everything else into perspective somehow. And I realize that the space shuttle Endeavour isn't really anything to do with the theme of this blog, but how could I let that moment pass without comment?

So this evening's blog isn't going to be about plumbing or insulation or flooring. I'm not going to riff on the merits of brushed nickel vs. chrome fixtures in the bathroom. I'll wait until another day to discuss the challenges of choosing hardwood floor. This evening has to be about the wonderful thing that so many of us saw on Friday.

There were actually several wonderful things that happened noon on Friday. My jaded husband, who not 10 minutes before the flyover claimed not to care too much, found that he had a lump in his throat as he watched the aircraft soar, and he was moved by the sounds of so many middle schoolers chanting, "USA! USA!" Those same middle schoolers, who had been grumbling about having to stand outside in the heat, suddenly became patriotic and excited and thrilled to witness history. They were cheering and chasing after the shuttle as it flew across our field not once but twice, as if performing an encore for an adoring crowd. And this ex-pat, who cheered team GB during the Olympics and scoffs at a perceived overabundance of red, white and blue, had goosebumps watching the NASA jet carry the retired shuttle to its new home only a few miles from here.

It felt as if we could almost touch it

Tomorrow, I'll go back to stories of remodeling and all that jazz, but for now, just enjoy this photo taken from the field at Jordan Middle School. Endeavour, I salute you.