space exploration

National Moon Day

Posted on by wkennar

In our family, we’re big fans of space exploration, and books and movies about space exploration. My son and I can recite lines and lines of dialogue from the Ron Howard-directed film Apollo 13. (We know much more than the famous, “Houston, We have a problem.”)

When we watch Hidden Figures, we cheer as Kevin Costner’s character breaks down the “colored ladies room” sign. We applaud when he says, “Here at NASA, we all pee the same color.” 

And today, we stop and think about the moon. About those who have traveled to, and walked on, the moon. Those who worked to make it possible for human beings to leave our planet and return safely home. 

Because today is National Moon Day. 

Today is the 53rd anniversary of the first manned landing on the moon — Apollo XI, with astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins.

It is one of those defining moments in human history. Those that were old enough remember the significance of the time, and can recall details about where they were when Neil Armstrong spoke to the planet — “That’s one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind.”

I’m not old enough. But I can tell you that Alan Shepard hit a golf ball on the moon (Apollo XIV). 

Astronaut David Scott (Apollo XV) conducted a science experiment, demonstrating that a hammer and feather would fall and hit the surface of the moon at the same time.

And astronaut Charles Duke (Apollo XVI) left a photo of his family on the moon.

And today, in the photo above, I share with you just a few of our family’s moon-related books.

Readers — I would love to hear from you. Favorite space-related memory? Book? Movie? Please share!

Why a Roundabout Path Is More Than Okay

Posted on by wkennar

From fourth grade until about my junior year of high school, if someone asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I proudly answered “Astronaut.” 

My goal changed. During high school, I took a class called World of Education. We spent four days a week, about two hours a day, assisting in a local elementary school classroom. That’s when I fell in love with teaching. And that’s when I changed my career goal.

That’s not how it worked for Leland Melvin. 

Leland Melvin isn’t like most astronauts. 

He didn’t grow up wanting to be an astronaut.

In fact, he’s the only astronaut who was also drafted by the NFL. 

He has had a variety of different experiences, and set-backs along the way, but still maintains a positive attitude and a desire to encourage others to reach for their dreams. You can read more about him in his memoir Chasing Space: An Astronaut’s Story of Grit, Grace, and Second Chances. 

From a writer’s perspective, I didn’t particularly enjoy the book. Certain parts felt like they were missing something – a lack of introspection, personal reaction, and depth. 

From a reader’s perspective, the part of the story that stands out most to me is the circuitous path Mr. Melvin took to becoming an astronaut. In fact, he had never really thought of “astronaut” as a career possibility. 

It’s an important reminder, for me, and an important lesson to share with my son.

We don’t always know what path our lives will take. 

You don’t have to travel straight from point A to point B. It’s okay to take detours, to go in circles, to lose your place and start again.

Because you just may wind up among the stars.