(photo credit: nasa.gov)
I don’t know why this news had such an impact on me. I was born roughly 14.5 years after Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins went to the moon. [Yes, Mom, I knew all three crew members without looking it up. Aren’t you proud of me? Well, it wouldn’t surprise me if you’re not surprised.]
But today, when I read the news on Twitter, I cried. Of course I cried. I even told M about it, and he said, “Duh.” Apparently I’m that transparent.
I cried because, for a long time when I was a little girl, I wanted to be an astronaut. I wanted to be the first woman to walk on the moon. I probably know more about the Apollo program than anyone my age has a right to, but that’s what I focused on. In fact, for my birthday one year, my parents bought me a hardcover copy of Apollo 13 and Failure Is Not an Option.
Rest in Peace, Neil Armstrong. You’ll be sorely missed.