I have always been a dreamer. I cried in 2011 when NASA had their last launch into space, of course before this past Saturday, May 30, 2020. I always thought it would be awesome to go into space, flying within the stars, seeing the entire earth, thinking about everyone on earth living their daily lives. I also thought it would be awesome to feel weightless and float through the space shuttle.

I didn’t cry just because NASA decided to stop launching. It was because my parents always said to me “Katey, you can do anything you put your mind to. If you want to be an astronaut we will be there for you, cheering you on and watching you launch into space!”.

NASA making the decision to not launch anymore back in 2011, felt like one of my “dreams” was being taken away from me. Now let me be clear, I really wasn’t pursuing being an astronaut. It was the idea, that my parents instilled in me, that if I wanted to be, I could be.

Standing in my parents kitchen, next to my dad, watching that launch for the “last time” made me go back to being a child and thinking “I’m stupid, I’m not good enough, what can someone like me ever be when I grow up?” It brought back a lot different feelings for me.

I grew up with my parents always being there for me, always pushing me and always encouraging me to do whatever I put my mind to. They believed in me! They believed in me when I didn’t believe in me. Yes, I’m lucky, I’m blessed to have parents like I do. If it wasn’t for them, I really do believe, I wouldn’t be where I am today without them being there for me all of my life!

While I was sad and crying about the “last” NASA launch my dad asked me “Katey, what’s wrong?” I said “I wanted to do that, I wanted to go up into space!” He’s so good at making me laugh and said “well good thing Russia is still sending people into space, call them!”.

Now fast forward to May 30, 2020. SpaceX and NASA launched two people into space from the International Space Station! Back in 2011 I thought NASA was done… I thought my “dream” was done. I was wrong! P.S. if NASA asked me to go into space, I’d 100% say yes!

You never know where life is going to take you. When one door closes… you may be surprised, another one will open back up bigger and better! You hear that saying a lot right?

Seeing the NASA and SpaceX launch on May 30, 2020 made me cry. I cried because I felt the feelings of, I can do anything! It reminded me, Yes Katey you can do anything you put your mind to! I’m the one telling people that every single day. I take pride in encouraging and uplifting others that they can do anything they put their minds to! But yet, sometimes I forget to tell myself those very same words. I’m glad I watched the launch on May 30, 2020. I’m happy I cried and had those feelings all over again and this time I’m grateful those feelings were for the positive and not the self doubt and negative.

Please know that I’m here for you! If you don’t have someone in your corner, I’M IN YOUR CORNER! I may not “know” you personally, but I do know that you 100% can do anything you put your mind to (for the greater good) with a lot of hard work, determination and NEVER giving up!

Love, the girl in your corner, Katey