Neil Armstrong and some other guys

Recently my son’s class had a ‘wax museum.’ They were to choose a ‘hero’ they would like to read a biography about and then become that character for an hour last week while we visited their ‘wax museum.’ He chose Neil Armstrong. Although disappointed that his mother couldn’t find a spacesuit and helmet, he did a great job. He wore s white shirt, tie, sports coat, and this sweet ID badge I made for him. Going to church has some perks, you know. Built-in ‘8 year old business man attire.’ Nice.

On the way home I got to thinking. I know Neil, and Buzz. And I know there was a third that day, someone Collin, maybe? And I’m pretty sure there were several more at later times. But I think it’s funny that in true American fashion, I don’t know more than two names of people that have been to the moon. “Well, there’s that first guy, Neil. And his friend Buzz. And that’s pretty much it. Unless one blows up anymore, I pretty much ignore that fact that space travel even exists.” I can name you more than 15 kinds of candy bars. There is one chocolate (to speak of) and I know LOTS about that. But men who have flown into space and walked on the moon; just two. That’s all I can come up with.

Then I was saying to Peter, “Do you think they were arguing about who got to go out the door first.” He said, “No. It was already decided long before they go there.” But I enjoyed the next few scenes in my head…

I could just imagine them, in their big white space suits, going really slow, “No you don’t. I’m going first.” Smack. Swat. “No me!” Push. Wrestle. Wrestle. Grunt.

Or.

As Neil is heading out the door, Buzz yells, “look over there” and knocks him down as he runs slow motion out the door.

It was enjoyable and made me laugh out loud. You would too if you took a second to imagine the play by play in your head. Go ahead. Think of their 1960’s formality, the funny slow-mo stuff you’ve seen on TV, how we Neil Armstrong was there only seconds before the others. It’s like twins where one tells people he’s older…by 38 seconds. I see a little “I dream of Jeannie” – esque back home. These sophisticated, educated men, pushing each other out of the way. Trying to get out of that blasted door first!

I guess that’s why it was decided before they got there. Maybe that’s why men went and not women. We’d be going, “Mmm. Nope. You go first.” “No you.” Not to be nice, but because who knows what was out there. Make the other sucker try it first. We’ll see if she gets sucked off the face of the moon in sudden black vortex before I give it a try.

Aaaaand. This is why I don’t home school. Oh how our lesson of Neil Armstrong would digress.

But really. It’s totally amazing that men walked on the moon. That Space Shuttles orbit the earth ALL the time. It really is so common now, that we don’t pay attention. Hello!? S-P-A-C-E T-R-A-V-E-L. Pret-ty cool! Next time there’s a launch, if I can remember, I’m gonna watch.