How I Became An Astronaut

Isn’t it funny how fate works?

I remember my 4th birthday like it was yesterday. Is it weird that I can remember 64 years ago better than last week? Although I was born and raised in Memphis my 4th birthday party took place 52 stories high in Chicago. You may be wondering why this relates to how I became an astronaut, but I’ll get there.

In attendance was my little brother Alan. He was only 9 months old. My 2 sisters Sherry and Dolly were yet to be born. My 1st cousin was who is 2 months older than me was also there. Our fathers must have thought it would be “great fun” to name us both Dennis, so that’s what they did. That meant there would two “Dennis Stanley’s” about the same age which would likely cause some confusion at Christmas, family gatherings, school. etc. I feel pretty sure that is what our fathers were going for and it’s just like something brothers would do (especially those two brothers). At some point my cousin took on the nickname “Rocky”, while I thought my name was “Dammitdennis” till I began school. That’s when my 1st grade teacher Mrs. Hendrix corrected me (yes, I still remember her name). I think she soon understood why I had earned that “nickname”.

My other 1st cousin in attendance was Julie, Rocky’s older sister, she was 6. I liked both my cousins a lot even though Julie could be a bit bossy. Others were there, but they were all grown-ups; my parents, my cousin’s parents, and many others I didn’t know. There were always a lot of grown ups hanging around that I didn’t know in Chicago (a story for another time).

Birthday Presents

Of all my birthdays, this one stands out in my memory because of one particular gift I received. I got a really cool “captains hat” and I received a few clothing items that were quickly tossed aside in order to get to an extremely large wrapped package. I couldn’t take my eyes away from it during the singing and cake eating. I excitedly tore into the wrapping with both my cousins assistance. What was revealed inside took my breath away at first, then started me squealing with delight. I believe my cousins assisted with the squealing just like they did with the opening; and then right there before me was; My Very Own Gas Station!!

Note: As a child, I either wanted to be an astronaut, own my own gas station, or both.

No Ordinary Toy

This gas station was made entirely of metal, except the rubber gas hoses on the pumps. It had several cars and a ramp to drive the cars up to the roof. It also had a lift with a hand crank to raise the cars up in the air so you could work on them. I had never seen anything like it and certainly never expected a gift of such magnitude. It was absolutely beautiful!

The Hostile Takeover

The only problem was; my cousins liked it too, in fact they liked it so much they seemed to be trying to take it away from me. Remember that part about Julie being a bit bossy? Well, I think she teamed up with Rocky and schemed to seize hostile control of my new startup gas station business. But, I fought back, and regained control using the cars as projectiles. I regained my Station until the cars began coming back at me smashing into my face! Then the all out battle for ownership was on, until the authorities swooped in, broke it up, slapped some leather on each of us, and incarcerated us to our own respective corners to reflect on what we had done.

After the war, my gas station was seized to teach me and my cousins that “crime does not pay.” The station’s servicing days were over before they even got started.

Changing Careers

I missed my gas station, but I forged ahead. From that time on, all my plans revolved around becoming an astronaut. That’s all I thought about and in my mind I already was one. I read every book I could find about astronauts and later even joined the cub scouts because I heard they were building a rocket. And build it we did! Constructed from wood, cardboard, and fabric, that rocket towered at least 6 ft. high! We painted USA, a flag, and all other pertinent markings on it and prepared for launch. However, my first launch would take place on stage as part of a play. We were all to be astronauts and that obviously included me.

Like they say on stage: “Ladies and gentlemen!!! that’s how I became an astronaut.”

Do you remember when you had an imagination?

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