Sharing Wonders

And here it is, 40 years later. The moon. Man walked on the moon. Do your children and grandchildren know the wonder of the achievement? Do they understand the wonder? Have you shared?

My grandmother was told flat-out in the 1920s that a trip to the moon was impossible.

In my time, it happened. We did it. It wasn't just NASA. The entire country hoped and dreamed and did it. Sciences and mathematics were big. Interest was high. For a moment in 1969, we were all concentrated on One Big Thing.

I remember early test shots, going back to the Mercury program days. I thought they were cool. At 3, this may not have been an opinion formed on my own, but because my older brother said so it was so.

Lunchtime was interrupted at home. The black and white television was on. And we saw it go off. Something that flew higher than anything had ever flown.

Something that held promise of a wondrous future.

And looking back, it now seems almost impossible what we accomplished with slide rules. How did we dare? How did our wings, like Icarus, not melt off and send us crashing to the ground?

But we made it. We all made it. And someday, maybe we will make it again. A nation's pride and a universal wonder. Someday.

Perhaps the biggest dreamer was Walter Cronkite. His simple comment as the landing was confirmed, a simple "oh boy" summed it up. What more could be said? What more needed to be?

Walter Cronkite loved the space program as he loved sailing, his job, and his sense of humor. In the joyous and in the tragic moments of mid-twentieth century history, he led us. He was everyman and an exceptional man. And he loved the space program.

The most fitting tribute I can think of, from this small space today, is a song from the Sacred Harp. It is called White or also I'm a Long Time Travelling. Perhaps Walter's ashes will go to space someday. And that will make the singing all the sweeter.

These fleeting charms of earth Farewell,
your springs of joy are dry
My soul now seeks another home
A brighter world on high

I'm a long time travelling here below
I'm a long time travelling away from home
I'm a long time travelling here below
To lay this body down

Farewell kind friends whose tender care
Has long engaged my love
Your fond embrace I now exchange
For better friends above

I'm a long time travelling here below
I'm a long time travelling away from home
I'm a long time travelling here below
To lay this body down...