When I was a little girl, my brothers used to point up towards the night sky and ask me if I could see the Man in the Moon. For the longest time, I could not see him and then one day -- there he was. I remember where I was the first time I saw the Man in the Moon. I couldn't figure out how he got there, and I wondered if he might be lonely, all the way up there in the night sky, in the dark. I felt as if he were gazing down upon Earth, wishing he could join us, watching us with our families and friends, while he was all alone.I had that same feeling when Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins and Buzz Aldrin landed on the moon 40 years ago today. What if they are stuck there? What if they can't come back? Will we see them gazing down at Earth in longing and loneliness? I think everyone collectively held their breath until the "Eagle" ascended back up to rejoin "Columbia", to journey home to Earth.
What an amazing feat that was (no pun intended) to leave the footprint of man on the surface of the moon. They also left a plaque inscribed, "Here Men From The Planet Earth First Set Foot Upon the Moon, July 1969 A.D. We Came in Peace For All Mankind." Perhaps future generations will use the Moon as a rest stop on their way to other planets, Mars perhaps. The idea of man going to Mars fascinates me. Some day a human child will be born on Mars, and he will be the first Martian. If he visits Earth, the planet of his ancestors, he will truly be the first Martian to visit Earth."That's one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind."
21 comments:
Nice post Jo. Love the man in the moon!
Linda
What I remembered today, along with this bit of history, was that my mother would have been 89 years old. I miss her.
Stuff going around the internet now...
"It's one small step..."
MISSION CONTROL: Hold it Buzz, this mother--ing 707 just took off out of LAX and it's ruining the whole take...Okay. Take it from the top.."
I've been wishing to be an astronaut since I was 3 years old until now. Oh yes, the idea to build a civilization in another planet seems impossible, but amazing. Who will be the first Martian? Will it be my grandchild? ^^
Anyway, I love this post. I usually spend my night watching the sky. I'll stare at one attractive thing (it could be moon or a single star) then I'll think, "Is there someone watching me back? Is he alone?" and questions like that. The whole universe is just amazing and I can't stop myself to be curious more and more and more.
before we go and start screwing up and befouling other places I think we need to learn better stewardship over the ball of mud we are on. Yes it was an amazing thing, the landing on the moon.
But it also gave us the technology for ICBMs and so many other wonderful effects to the cause.
Leave the footprints there, alone until we start removing some of the ones we are currently leaving here.
you too were little girl, me too was a little boy some years back. see, we have something in common.
Thats an amazing feat, to set foot on moon, the moon we see everyday and marvel its beauty. And most importantly to look back at earth and marvel is yet more beauty. Nice post:)
I love the idea that there are new, unexplored frontiers out there.
Seriously though, it is Jackie Gleason.
Jo, Lovely graphic. I, too, was alive when we first went to the moon. Somehow, while it was an amazing happening, it began to deteriorate the magic of the Universe for me. I prefer to imagine the wonders that exist. I enjoy the wonderful photos taken of outer space, but I really don't need to know that when you move in closer some of those wonderous things will be just dust and rocks.
Your blog is interesting and urges us to consider our worlds, both personal and public. Thanks so much for sharing.
Love the pictures. That footprint leaves a big impact, doesn't it? And the man in the moon is adorable.
That was a lovely post :-) I was very small when the Moon Landing occurred. I'm sure my parents gathered around the TV and watched with everyone else, but I would have been two, and don't recall it.
What's amazing to me is that even though the moon landing was not actually a precursor to the age of space exploration on a grand scale, it was something that united the world in awe.
The memories you have, the memories everyone who watched it have, they are a shared experience. The knowledge that so many were doing the same thing at the same time, and gazing in wonder. No matter the actual reaction, it was awe inspiring.
The internet breaks down borders and I feel so fortunate to have it. I've got friends in far flung places on the globe. That mass sense of connection though?
Well maybe. After all, every year there is something like the Super Bowl and fans from all over the country watch, even non football fans. That gives a sense of being one with others.
Nowhere near in the realm of watching the first person ever to walk on the moon.
Tom Hanks pointed out something when doing press for Apollo 13, and since it's really fun to listen for, I'll mention it here: Walter Cronkite darn near steps on Armstrong's famous line! There's Cronkite doing his job, providing what is essentially audio-filler, when Armstrong cuts in with "That's one small step..."
Cronkite just missed this anniversary, but it is a testament to what a pro the man was that he cuts his own works off with the precision of a surgeon's scalpel. A man who could speak, and listen at the same time.
Nice post, it remindes me of jules verne, and of rem song. But the ending is excelent! guau, who know when it will come
M
An amazing feat, especially when you know how puny the computer systems were in those days.
However, apart from the sheer wonder of it all what benefits have been achieved?
It was a space race, the Russians and the USA as the only competitors. Was it just to see who could win? Who could build the best rockets?
We would, I submit, be far better employed on earthly projects like curing diseases, reducing pollution of our planet, and dozens of other tasks that need our skill and dedication.
Yes, it was one of mankind's greatest scientific feats but have we got our priorities right?
George says goodnight to the man in the moon every night that we see the moon at bedtime. I'm not looking forward to the time when he finds out that it is technicaly possible to visit the moon.....
I was wondering....... is the American flag still there?
~Lorna
____________________________________
A student once wrote: There's life upon the moon, because there's light.
Guess it's as important to keep this thought alive, as to believe that there's a Santa Clause. Even though being 35 would love to believe in this. There was one christmas when I 'became' one, offering sweets to the kids (picture in five months ;).
Thank you for your entry. Can't await the next full moon.Thank you also very much for leaving a comment!
Beautiful Man in the Moon ! Makes me think of a song (which can be found on YouTube... the chorus goes :
And its rooty toot to for the moon
Its the brightest star I've ever seen
It's a pearl of wisdom
As slice of green cheese
And its burning just like kerosene
Burning just like kerosene...
I hadn't ever heard that one, Owen. Very fun.
There's one by Harry Connik Jr. (and I have no clue how to spell his name) that goes:
The Man in the Moon is Smiling
'cause he's in love
The Man in the Moon is Smiling
'cause he's in love with the girl in the world.
I think it's impossible to hear that song and not be happy :-)
Very impressive a post...i just feel myself the man who in the moon at this point....so wide world...busy world...
I wasn't born yet. The moon always makes me think of Frank Sinatra's "Fly Me to the Moon", the same way any mention of Paris makes me think of Ella Fitzgerald. Off topic, I know, but the whole thing made me smile anyway.
wow!! amazing post Jo! I always love watching moon and the way it looks at me.. And i liked the story of the moon in the movie "Wolverine Origins".
The idea of first Martian is incredible dear....
Post a Comment