44 years ago I started fresh at a new job in a new place. It was 1982 and I was 24. Family far away, I was on my own. I entered the early ‘80’s into a corporate world contracted to the Space Shuttle Program in southeast Houston. I was one of 40 in my training class of new employees.
I did not know how good I had it. I dragged personal emotional baggage with me into this otherwise exciting new situation.
Hindsight is twenty-twenty as it is said. I brought my ‘70’s values and anxiety into the new optimism of the ‘80’s that was heading to an exciting technology boom. I lagged in my adaptation and stumbled into bouts of loneliness and depression that led to questionable choices.
Good can come from mistakes though, and in my case, much good did come to me, along with the regrets. Life changed and there was no choice but to adapt. And, painfully, I did, and here I am.
Every year, in the first week of January, I think of a fresh start, echoing that January 44 years ago, when I didn’t fully appreciate the opportunity in front of me because I was alone, and feeling it.
It is a reminder to me that people make a big difference in my happiness, and I will benefit from cultivating friendships and staying close to family and old friends in whatever way possible.
The cycle of the year presents this fresh start, coming appropriately after the holidays and at the start of a new calendar. For me it is both reminiscent of the past, and full of optimism for the future, if I make the most of it. Every year I like to dream of ways I can do so, what practices, what changes I can enact.
I have a job I will be continuing, that I started on January 22 last year. I will be celebrating a year there which, at my age, is not a small feat. I can think of several things happening soon that are positive for our family, though challenging to accomplish. It will take following necessary steps and staying hopeful.
How I miss being part of the Space Program! That was a big part of what I didn’t know how good I had. Interestingly, another program is about to really get underway, Artemis. And I will be following it with nostalgia and new excitement, being part of it vicariously, fully aware of how all the small parts have to go together to make a mission possible, because I once had a very small part in another program.
