“The best advice I can give anybody is to try to understand who you are and what you want to do, and don't be afraid to go down that road and do whatever it takes and work as hard as you have to work to achieve that.” – Sally Ride
The recent 20th anniversary of Sally Ride Science at the University of California – San Diego brought back a flood of space memories. I was reminded of Sally’s impact and how the frontier of space inspired me to dream.
I still long to find a photo of a Christmas past.
The year was 1969, I was four years old. Neil Armstrong’s moon landing on July 20, 1969 created a Christmas of space themed everything. My three brothers and I drank Tang and ate Pillsbury Space Food Sticks in an effort of reliving Armstrong’s unforgettable words, “One Giant Leap for Mankind.”
The image is etched firmly in my brain. I stand proudly in front of the family staircase; liquid gold textured carpeting covers the steps. Family photos line the banister. Blunt cut bangs frame my face, evidence of mother’s signature hair cut for all four of her children. My smile reveals a fearless grin that exposes a severe overbite. Footie pajamas trimmed in pastel blues are connected to my coveted Christmas prize – space boots! Those puffed pads of molded plastic were about to launch me on a path to who I might become.
What I remember most about that iconic memory was the way I felt. My parents’ gift was an affirmation of their belief in who I could become. Space and science would become launch pads to dreaming and imagining my future.
My father was instrumental in fostering these interests. I grew up visiting the National Museum of the United States Air Force in my hometown of Dayton, Ohio. I have many fond memories of attending the annual airshows with my brothers.
As my interests grew and expanded through my formative years, I never forgot those space boots. That Christmas memory reminded me of what was possible.
As I prepared, with nervous trepidation for my freshman year at Albion College, I celebrated Sally Ride’s achievement to become the first woman in space. The space shuttle Challenger made Ride the youngest American to ever rocket into space on June 18, 1983.
I never forgot Sally Ride’s inspiration that led me to directing the Indian River Regional Science and Engineering Fair. Seven years into that role, I learned of Ride’s passing on July 23, 2012.
Although the years had passed from our first connecting point, I never lost my passion for the advancement of women in science and the pursuit of being fearless.
Out of heartfelt gratitude, I wrote a tribute to Ride that was published by CNN and the Press Journal. In a bittersweet twist of fate, I was quoted in her obituary, “Sally Ride is an icon to me and to all American women to dream,” wrote Cynthia Falar in an iReport article on CNN. She was a pioneer to encourage small town girls to think big. Most of all she got me to wonder how I fit into the world and what I had to contribute.”
Less than a year after Ride’s passing, I accompanied our young son, Wyatt, on a school field trip to Kennedy Space Center. The highlight was the Atlantis exhibit.
Wyatt prodded me to stretch out next to me on the concrete floor of the exhibit. As the multimedia messages swirled around us, we felt like we were flying through space. All I could think was, “My Dad would love this!”
As we exited the exhibit, I walked down the concourse and was reminded of a conversation just days earlier.
I had finished my third half-Ironman race. When I called my Dad to tell him of my splits, there was a long pause. I prepared for his typical comment, “I think you could have given more.” Instead his words took my breath away, he said, “I am proud of you.” At 48 years of age, I had waited my entire life to gain his approval.
Just minutes after leaving the Atlantis exhibit, my cell phone rang. My sweet husband’s voice was breaking. “I don’t know how to tell you this, your Dad just died.” I crumbled into a concrete curb. Tears stained my face. I clutched my son tight. My father’s words rang in my ears. I was again reminded of those boots and the love that was bound to that Christmas memory of so long ago.
Photo: May 2013 – Rocket Man Triathlon – Kennedy Space Center