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Having grown complacent about the glories and dangers
of journeys into space, many people had forgotten that
the shuttle was even in flight Feb. 1 when they heard
the sad news of the loss of Columbia and its crew. In
the days that followed, however, we learned much about
a group of people that gave us great models of life-much
of which, unfortunately, we never would have realized
had the tragedy not occurred.
The Columbia crew was a diverse group of men and women,
not only in its national and ethnic origins, but also
in each member's background. Working toward a common
goal, they did not let their differences divide them,
but rather concentrated on the things that brought them
together.
They clearly enjoyed life and the work they had chosen.
Whether in films of their training, their preflight
appearances or their in-flight work, they always seemed
to be smiling-big, wide, grinning smiles that conveyed
sheer delight and elation. Absolute passion for their
work was evident in the joy in which they described
every aspect of what they were doing and what they aimed
to accomplish.
There is little doubt of their commitment to their
goals. For some, that commitment began as early as age
4 or 5 with a dream to fly airplanes. For others, it
was evidenced by how they overcame barriers and obstacles
with perseverance and focus-an Indian woman who came
to the United States and received a doctorate in aerospace;
a woman who became not only a physician, but a Navy
flight surgeon as well and who performed medical evacuations
from submarines; and an Air Force pilot who applied
to be an astronaut four times before being accepted.
Neither is there doubt about their commitment to their
families and their communities. They were models of
individuals who, while doing great things in their work,
made time to be with the people they cared about and
to give back to the places they had lived throughout
their lives.
Finally, the people who knew these astronauts all speak
of their humbleness and lack of egotism-an egotism that
they might have rightfully developed given their knowledge
and expertise. Although the astronauts themselves rarely
spoke of it, we know that it took colossal courage to
travel into space to pursue knowledge that has and will
continue to improve life for all of us.
As Columbia came down over Texas and Louisiana, the
shuttle and its crew found a permanent home in the sky,
in the Earth and in our hearts. The crew of Columbia
leaves us a legacy of passion, courage, joy and commitment,
and is an example of how to approach our own lives and
our own work. Their sudden passing, as well as learning
so much about them too late, serves as a reminder to
appreciate our lives and each other and not to wait
to discover the depth of wonder and accomplishment in
each of our colleagues and friends.
Discuss this and other topics with your colleagues
at www.nurseweek.com/rnvillage
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