18 years

Hard to believe that it was 18 years ago today that the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded after liftoff.

I wasn't in school that day. I don't remember why, though I think it was a teachers' inservice day. I was at the home of the lady who normally took care of my sister, and I can remember wanting to watch the liftoff because we'd been doing all manner of "Teacher in Space" work at school leading up to Christa McAuliffe's trip.

Even when Eleanor (the babysitter) put all the other kids to nap, she let me keep watching the news coverage. In retrospect, probably not the healthiest thing to do to an 8 year old. But it'll always stick with me.

Sheila and Bill add their thoughts.