To the Rocket Drawers: Daydream On!

On February 5th we picked Margo up from school and went straight to Daytona Beach for our night's stay before the event that we had been anxiously awaiting for the past year: the Falcon Heavy launch.  We had been following the progress of the Heavy closely and knew it would be a hard ticket to get, so when we scored tickets for our family, there was a level of excitement in our home that is difficult to describe.

I've discussed Jude's love for flight in previous blogs (see "Scrubbed"--if only to see the cute potty picture of Jude reading his space books😜), but since he was a toddler, he has been fascinated with all things flight related.  Where fine art or family portraits might hang in most homes, Jude's sketches and drawings of space, airplanes and rockets are crookedly affixed with scotch tape.  And once he started school, he'd draw his rocket designs for hours.  Before long, my science classroom and office were also filled with his drawings and models.  I actually started a file for him to place his drawings in because space became limited.  I really can't even estimate how many times I'd look over to ask how homework was coming along, to find him working on his rockets or airplanes.  Instead of getting on to him for being off-task, I'd have him come to my desk and explain his design and how it was better than the rest.  And I know he drew and dreamed of rockets and airplanes during class too, because I'd always find those drawings stuffed in his book bag or tucked into folders.  And pretty much all free space on any binder, folder or worksheet would be taken over by his aircraft designs.

I still vividly remember getting my first "B" in citizenship for daydreaming instead of being on-task with my seat work in Mrs. Raurk's 5th Grade class.  And although my daydreams weren't as awesome as Margo's and Jude's, that's when my ideas would flow and my creativity piqued.

Although many of his drawings have fallen as the adhesive from the tape has worn off through the years, some of his drawings still hang proudly.

A few of the drawings from the "Jude File".

On February 6th, we woke up before the sun.  In the same way a family might get all decked out in Mickey gear to head to Disney World, we donned our Falcon attire and were on our way to see a rocket launch. As we pulled into Kennedy Space Center, the sun woke and the excitement rose with it.  We filed in, knowing we'd be experiencing something historic.

And as the day went on, the delays kept coming.  Winds and more winds.  But as we waited, Jude spent his time studying every rocket and engine display in the Apollo/Saturn V center.  Watching him study and touch the rockets, I could not help but think back on how it all began.  A daydream and a drawing.

With 15 minutes left in the launch window, they began to fuel the engines.  And we roared!  And as we began to stare down the countdown clock, my thoughts drifted to the engineers who had created this rocket.  This big, humongous moment.  Surely they drew rockets.  And here they were watching the daydream that was once a drawing on the fridge, sit on a launch pad as they prepared to send it into space. I think there are too many times we discourage our children from daydreaming. We want them "on-task".   And lots of times, our definition of on-task means answering questions on a worksheet rather than creating their own questions; or memorizing equations rather than creating a new equation.  Don't get me wrong, there's value in answering someone else's questions and memorization, but the ability to think and problem solve and create is far more powerful for the advancement in our world. And when their ideas seem impossible, we tend to steer them towards realistic dreams because we just can't imagine what they can.  We're inclined not to support ideas, designs and dreams that are outside the realm of our own possibilities.  And this rocket was no different. It was once a crazy idea that seemed impossible to most, and here it was firing engines on 39-A.

And the countdown from 10 began with screams and anticipation.  Hearts were pounding.  And then lift off.

There were tears and cheers and hugs.  We watched the most powerful rocket since the Saturn V launch into space and then we watched two of the rockets return and land in unison.  It was incredible.  The rumble from the thrust was like nothing I've ever felt or heard.  And the brightness of the flames actually made my eyes water.  It was possible after all and  we were front and center to witness it firsthand.  I knew immediately that it would be an experience that would add to and enhance the dreams of my children and the dreams of rocket drawers everywhere.

Daydream on, my rocket drawer.

This post is part of the Inspired by Life Blog Circle series.  Photographers from around the world will share what has inspired them to pick up their cameras.  Continue through the circle by clicking on the links.  Next up is the most talented, Cath Britton.  To enjoy the beauty of her work and see what inspired her for the February blog, click  HERE.