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Laurel Clark,
one of the Shuttle astronauts, was in my cousin Carol's class in high
school. Carol's parents were present for the launch and this is an e-mail
I received from Carol's mother:
I share
this beautiful last E mail from our wonderful Laurel Blair Salton Clark
in hopes that we may see our earth through her eyes and revel in the peace
and beauty she was experiencing.......It is very hard for those of us
who knew and loved her to accept what has happened to her and all the
remarkable people with her.. Please join me in prayers for Laurel's family
and for all the others affected by this terrible tragedy.
Love,
Charlsey.....Mom
...or 'whatever
Subject:
Hello from 150 NM above the Earth
Hello from above our magnificent planet Earth. The perspective is truly
awe-inspiring. This is a terrific mission and we are very busy doing science
round the clock. Just getting a moment to type e-mail is precious so this
will be short, and distributed to many who I know and love.
I have seen
some incredible sights: lightning spreading over the Pacific, the Aurora
Australis lighting up the entire visible horizon with the cityglow of
Australia below, the crescent moon setting over the limb of the Earth,
the vast plains of Africa and the dunes on Cape Horn, rivers breaking
through tall mountain passes, the scars of humanity, the continuous line
of life extending from North America, through Central America and into
South America, a crescent moon setting over the limb of our blue planet.
Mount Fuji looks like a small bump from up here, but it does stand out
as a very distinct landmark.
Magically,
the very first day we flew over Lake Michigan and I saw Wind Point (Racine,
WI) clearly. Haven't been so lucky since. Every orbit we go over a slightly
different part of the Earth. Of course, much of the time I'm working back
in Spacehab and don't see any of it. Whenever I do get to look out , it
is glorious. Even the stars have a special brightness. I have seen my
"friend" Orion several times.
Taking photos
of the earth is a real challenge, but a steep learning curve. I think
I have finally gotten some beautiful shots the last 2 days. Keeping my
fingers crossed that they're in sharp focus. My near vision has gotten
a little worse up here so you may have seen pics/video of me wearing glasses.
I feel blessed to be here representing our country and carrying out the
research of scientists around the world. All of the experiments have accomplished
most of their goals despite the inevitable hiccups that occur when such
a complicated undertaking is undertaken. Some experiments have even done
extra science. A few are finished and one is just getting started today.
The food
is great and I am feeling very comfortable in this new, totally different
environment. It still takes a while to eat as gravity doesn't help pull
food down your esophagus. It is also a constant challenge to stay adequately
hydrated. Since our body fluids are shifted toward our heads our sense
of thirst is almost non-existent.
Thanks to
many of you who have supported me and my adventures throughout the years.
This was definitely one to beat all. I hope you could feel the positive
energy that I beamed to the whole planet as we glided over our shared
planet.
Love to
all,
Laurel
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Origins:
Personal items from deceased love ones that preserve our last contacts
with them and connect us with their lives and their final days on Earth
— letters, journals, photographs, items of clothing —re usually
treasured as special reminders of both the joy and fragility of those
lives. Although the media through which we communicate may have changed,
the poignancy of a loved one's last words to us has not. A final message
might now consist of a collection of electrons beamed to us from thousands
of miles away rather than a letter written with pen and paper, but it
is the content of that communication as an expression of a unique and
cherished personality that matters most to us, not its form.