Maybe my love of the moon started when I was 5 years old. July 16^th, 1969 I watched the rocket blast into the sky. Then, on July 20^thour parents put us to bed in the den, on the sleeper sofa. At 10:56 pm they woke us up to watch Neil Armstrong step onto the surface of the moon and utter the famous words, “That’s one small step for man, and one giant leap for mankind.” Dad, a pilot in the Air Force, was always fascinated with all things aeronautical and he was determined for we would witness history. I thought it was cool, but I really just wanted to go back to sleep.

However, standing in the backyard under the stars, I squinted very hard to try to see those guys up there. I even thought I did, but Dad assured me they were too far away to see them. My imagination was captured by the idea that there was a rocket up there with people in it. I never wanted to go myself, but the moon has captivated me ever since.

Today I had a rush of nostalgia when Artemis II launched. The power of the fire, the smoke billowing up, the lift off…all of it made my eyes a bit teary. Remembering the Apollo missions from my early childhood made my heart thump loudly in my ears. (I crossed my fingers as the rocket passed the point at which the Challenger disaster happened, because I remember that clearly, too.) I breathed a sigh of relief, as the sound of the cheering crowd pulled me into the history being made. Just like when I was a kid.

I do not try to comprehend what kind of bravery it takes to strap yourself to a rocket. To sit calmly as it takes you out of the atmosphere. These astronauts have done this before, but I am sure it is a rush every time. Each of them is making history on this mission, which is a precursor to more trips to the moon, and eventually Mars.

The excitement is a welcome diversion from world events. The unity and the morale boost are just what my weary heart needed. It seems silly because I am not the one going to the moon, but somehow, it feels like I am a part. A fan. At the super bowl. Cheering for my team to do this amazing thing.

This generation of space explorers have technology like none before them. They are using systems that were pipe dreams in the 60s. They are carrying it forward for those who come after them. Going out into the universe to make discoveries that will change our world. History is being made…again.

It just so happens my nephew, David, fell in love with a rocket scientist over a decade ago. And today that rocket scientist signed off on the computer systems that will help Artemis II circumvent the moon; a task he has been working on for years. I don’t pretend to understand what exactly he does in his important job, but I am proud of him nonetheless. Congratulations to EJ and the whole NASA team that got the rocket off the ground! And here’s to the crew that is now on route to their mission. God bless them all!