NASATweetup... A Once in a Lifetime Experience

"A once in a lifetime experience" is phrase often used by people who have viewed a space shuttle launch up close from the media site.  Since the inception of the NASA space shuttle program I have dreamed of seeing such a launch in person.  My interest in space and space travel is one of the reasons I became a science teacher.  It is also why I have sought out programs and activities which would increase my understanding of America's space program.
          Thanks to Honeywell I attended the Educators Space Academy (also known as Space Camp) at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama.  I was also fortunate enough to return for the advanced program in Alabama and Florida.  And while these programs allowed me to see how astronauts train, put me in simulated missions, and showed me so much history, there was still something missing.  That excitement of seeing and hearing the immense power of a live launch.
          Everything changed on the 10th of June, 2011.  I, like thousands of other space enthusiasts, had been anticipating a special email on this day.  It would be an email that could bring wonderful or sad news.  I was hoping it wouldn't be the same email I had received twice before which included "unfortunately" in the message.  Now I was told the emails wouldn't be sent out until the afternoon, so I was caught a little off-guard when one suddenly appeared at 10:40 AM.  I had forgotten about the time difference between Arizona and the east coast.  Even though the subject line read, "STS-135 NASA Tweetup CONFIRMATION," I still opened it with uncertainty.
          As I read the first couple of sentences I was filled with a strange feeling of excitement and disbelief.  Could this be real!

"Congratulations, you have been selected to attend the NASA Tweetup on July 7-8 for space shuttle Atlantis' targeted launch at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida! The event will provide you the opportunity to speak with shuttle technicians, engineers, astronauts, and managers, and to experience the launch of space shuttle Atlantis to the International Space Station."

          I read it again, and then rushed over to Twitter to see if anyone had posted about getting such an email.  Nothing... but then I quickly started seeing messages from others who undoubtedly were experiencing the same emotions.  I read the email a few more times, all the while becoming even more excited.  In the days since receiving the confirmation that feeling has not dissipated.  This is like winning the big lottery or the golden ticket which promises to change your life.
          Not only will I (along with a group of other lucky individuals) be viewing a space shuttle launch, but the last launch for the space shuttle Atlantis and the shuttle program.  This is history in the making... it is truly a once in a lifetime experience.