There is more to this story that makes it even more eery, like it was written in the stars all along. My horoscope said I would receive shocking news that day. I told my husband and he poo-pooed me, but after the news came he said he'd never doubt my horoscope again. Well, I should hope not! And Merry Christmas to me!
Update: I learned just a few days later that Dr. Nancy Grace Roman died on Christmas Day, at the age of 93. There will be a memorial service held for her which I hope to attend.
But there is one last bit I don't want to forget. The agent, whom I have since signed with, asked me to get the answers to two more questions from Nancy Grace for the revision. I e-mailed Dr. Roman and received an answer to one, but never for the other. I was still hoping to get an answer when I learned of her death. But I think it is completely marvelous that in the last response I got from her, just before her death, she spoke of the beauty of the pictures the Hubble was sending back to us. She included this beautiful description.
“When stars get very old, they blow up like a balloon and shed their atmospheres. This material makes beautiful clouds around them. These are my favorite pictures from the Hubble but I cannot pick one.” – Nancy Grace Roman