"TRAGIC DAY" a poem by Darrell Bassham (original January 28, 1986)

Today January 28, 2011 marks 25 years since The Challenger shuttle explosion. For many of us who observed it actually happen "in real time”, the vivid memory is embedded in us. I can easily remember standing in the parking lot of an office complex in Orlando with many others as we watched the Challenger rise in the sky and then suddenly explode.
I wrote the following thoughts later that evening:

TRAGIC DAY

By

Darrell T. Bassham

January 28, 1986

We hear so often about the peaks and valleys of life…
the times of peak excitement…the times of low disappointments…

Today, we as Americans, we as a Nation, experienced an ultimate
example of just that…
all within a matter of split seconds.

To be so excited and swollen with pride one moment in seeing
the shuttle blast off, only to be so saddened and physically
deflated the next moment in seeing the tragic death of all on board…

Yes, we as Americans have experienced tragedy before, but never
like this…
Never have so many of us viewed it live, first hand, all at the same time.

We ask ourselves…
What justice is there in this world for this to happen…Why?

We console ourselves in thinking perhaps there is a reason hidden
somewhere…Perhaps, it’s not for us to know, at least for now…

We must remember in our grief, that God has a purpose for all
events, though we may not always understand why.

Comfort must be found in the full belief that God is in control…
In control of those who lost their lives…
In control of their families,
In control of all our ultimate destinies.

It is through this realization may we, as proud Americans, find
the courage to look toward the future with the hope of a brighter
tomorrow…

Yes, we will vividly remember this tragic day for years to come…
But, let us also remember that God in his infinite wisdom has reason
for things that are done…

Let us lift up our shoulders, stick out our chest, and pick up our
spirits and go on!

America, if only we will live up to our motto and “TRUST IN GOD” we
will never, even through the worst of tragedy, be alone.