I wanted to take a minute to jot you a note of thanks. I cannot tell you what a joy it is to watch you all on your journey around the moon. It takes me back to when I was 5 years old and watching the Apollo missions with my Dad. I remember he was enthralled with every launch and when Apollo 11 landed, I believed I could see them walking around up there. I have been fascinated with the moon ever since. 

Your mission has stirred up those long-ago feelings of awe. The photos are INCREDIBLE! I have woken up each morning, scrolling all the places, to see what has been posted while I slept. The inspiration is real. I want copies of them all so I can relish every detail. 

It seems to me our moon has had quite a few knocks in her life and she carries those scars. Every crater, every impact, has marked her journey. But even with the wounds, she still reflects the sun with beautiful clarity. She floats in the sky, essentially a big rock, and glows. She captures our eyes if we remember to look up, and our hearts when we do. 

You are unraveling her mysteries. Giving her credit for her rough road. Seeing her, up close and loving her despite her ravaged surface…actually because of it. What love is on your faces! Such exuberance for this life long dream of yours. It oozes out of all four of you. The hugs. The tears. The daily smiles. Joy comes across ALL the miles, back home to us. Into our homes and heads. (Rise is right to be enamored with his besties.)

You have done my heart good. I know you are on your way home, but I kind of wish you could stay a bit longer. Your mission has stirred up my little-girl wonder. My imagination. My since of living the adventure with you. I don’t want it to be over just yet. 

I know you are all brilliant; you have to be to do what you are doing. But what comes across my screens is not your intelligence, but your humanity. Your excitement over each and every discovery. I know you are working, but from here, it looks like you are having the most fun you have ever had. What a morale boost you are for the world. To see us from where you are is a lesson in perspective I am sure. A blue dot. Filled with humans who sometimes forget how fragile we are. When you get home, remind us. Tell your stories. Share your thoughts. 

Please know I am not the only one experiencing joy because of you. There are millions of us who have chosen to turn off the daily news and focus on the joy of the Artemis 2 crew instead. You have given us hope. Smiles. Happiness. Pep in our steps. We know there are scientific reasons for your mission, but the non-scientific byproducts of watching your joy, unity, understanding, compatibility, love for one another and the universe are contagious. You have inspired us all. Thank you for that. And for the team who got you there, thank you for your hard work and years of planning. For such a time as this…it was worth it. 

Sincerely,

Michelle Gunnin

(Moon lover)