The sky's no limit

Francesca inside the cockpit of the Endeavor space shuttle

I come from a family of four. My older sister, Francesca, was thrilled to have a baby in the family and the way she cared for me was both familiar and maternal. She protected me, showed me the world through her eyes, and taught me how to be human. Following her ambitions, my sister studied aeronautical engineering with the intent of becoming an astronaut.

Tragically, Francesca was killed in a motorcycle accident ten years ago whilst en route to her internship at NASA. Her lifetime could be likened to that of a massive star — a luminous, albeit short life cycle whose final evolutionary stage as a supernova outshines other suns in the galaxy.

Kennedy Space Center, NASA

My sister’s life was spent fulfilling her dreams; she accomplished more in twenty-three years than some do in an eternity. She trained her mind and body in preparation for outer space exploration, always keen on impromptu adventures.

Spending time with her was always uplifting; many were influenced by her beaming smile and vivacious personality. She reminded us to be persistant in reaching our potential and to live our lives fully without holding back. Francesca gave me the courage to (literally) take leaps. Now, I blindly follow her motto, “I’ll try anything twice!”

After her passing, I dedicated my life to living for her, too. I became passionate about traveling and learning foreign languages. I truly tried activities twice, just to be sure it wasn’t my forte.

Francesca was a stellar influence in my youth. Our sisterhood shaped my identity and I still feel her spirit with me. To this day, she inspires me to shoot for the stars.

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse