When the space shuttle went off Sunday night it reminded me of the space program's greatest champion, Senator Bill Nelson. This is a famous picture of Sen. Bill Nelson. It was taken in 1986 when he went into space as a payload specialist on the shuttle Columbia. This copy is dedicated to my husband.
How did we meet Bill Nelson?
Sometime in the 70s when we lived in south Orlando, we looked out the window and saw this nice looking young politician going from door to door in the rain. My husband chased him down and gave him an umbrella.
Years later we were invited to see a movie with him and his lovely wife, Grace. As it turned out they had rented out the theater so we sat with several hundred other friends of Bill to watch one of the most motivating movies I've ever seen, "Chariots of Fire."
I've not always agreed with Bill Nelson's decisions (but I've agreed with most of them.) Most people agree that he's been an excellent public servant in various capacities over the years. About the worst thing I've heard said about him is that he's too low key (boring.)
Here is my favorite Bill Nelson story. The details may not be just right. As you may remember, when the Columbia was ready to descend in 1986, they had to circle the globe for several days and finally landed, unexpectedly, in Texas.
The exhausted astronauts were taken directly from the capsule to a hotel. As Bill told it, he walked into the lobby and asked for his key. The desk clerk asked for a credit card. Standing there in his astronaut coveralls, Bill said he didn't have one.
"I've just been in outer space."
The desk clerk was not impressed.
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