There's something about space.  The Final Frontier.  Where no man has gone before (well, not really, but you get the point).

If you were to observe the McDonnell Family watching a space shuttle launch from the Kennedy Space Center via TV, the looks on all of our faces would be the same.  There would be no difference whatsoever.  Mouth's wide open.  An occasional shake of the head in disbelief.  Then, we all run outside to see the incredible machine from our backyard as it disappears into ... well ... space. 

When it comes to the space shuttle, we are all kids.  As adults, I guess the only difference is that we realize that we have missed our opportunity to become an astronaut.  Yet, personally, I still dream that dream.  Honestly, I might even occasionally "make-believe" that I am in command of that shuttle that was built by man; yet, transitively built by Our Creator. 

The reason I am writing this is because I just spent about 45 minutes watching the space shuttle land at Edwards Airforce Base in California and even the landing is a site to see.  I did not even care if I could not bill those 45 minutes to The Walt Disney Company (my current employer via contract) because the knowledge and excitement gained from watching such a show is worth more than a few measly dollars.  Right?

Looking at my son, Evan, watching a shuttle take off from the launch pad I find myself proud -- not just of him; but rather, the human mind and the human spirit.  As children we all have desires to do something great and I strongly believe it is not a selfish thought at such a young age.  In retrospect, it is the feeling of the adventure -- it is the subconscious excitement, faith and pride of using the freedom gifted to us by our God to explore His creation in its infiniteness and complexity.

That said, when I grow up I want to be an astronaut.

Shaun McDonnell