Astronaut Reception

Dad is friends with a very nice woman named Gilly Patrick who lives around the corner from the Deli in Stonington. Dad and Nonie got to know Gilly from her coming into the Deli. Gilly knows Dad's greatest dream is to see a shuttle launch. So as a gift to Dad, Gilly got Dad and I VIP seating for the launch of the Discovery on December 7th. But the night before, December 6th, there was a reception for Gilly's son Nick and another astronaut, Sunita, in the Apollo building at Kennedy Space Center. Gilly also got us admission into the reception. It was such a nice evening. Dad and I thought it would be a tad more formal of an event, so we were dressed nice. But most people were in jeans and khakis. That's OK, we looked good for Gilly! The Apollo building was pretty incredible and I took lots of pictures. The food was good as was the presentation of what Nick and Suni were doing at that moment and all the moments leading up to the launch. Nick and Suni couldn't attend the reception because they were under quarenteen before the launch, as were the rest of their crew. Then the astronaut giving the presentation (not a member of the Discovery crew) told us what it would be like for the astronauts up in space and everything they'd be doing once they got up to the International Space Station. It was SO cool to have been part of all that! I was so glad that I could have joined Dad. We certainly had a blast that night!