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Health & Fitness

Wink at the Moon

What better memorial than a "Blue Moon"?

I'm sure many posts and tributes are being written about the passing of Neil Armstrong. That is as it should be. Phil Plait, in his "Bad Astronomer" blog for DiscoverMagazine.com, has said that all of human history can be divided into two parts...before the moon landing, and after.

My gerneration is the first in the after.

I loved the Apollo program. I begged to stay up or stay home to watch all the launches and splashdowns. Being only 4 at the first moon landing, I wasn't sure whether to be more impressed that there were men on the moon, or that my mom (a real stickler for bedtimes)  actually let me get up in the middle of the night to watch something on TV - but I knew it was HUGE, either way. I clearly remember sitting on the sofa beside my Dad (who I later learned worked with Mercury Redstone Rockets during his time in the Army) watching the grainy blacky and white film, and hearing those so-distinctive beeps between people talking. A science geek was born.

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I learned of Neil Armstrong's passing on Twitter, the same way as I learned of Steve Jobs...how's that for a fitting conincidence? One of the tweets...Buzz Aldren's I believe...quoted the family as saying to "look at the moon, and wink" as a memorial to Mr. Armstrong.

Can you imagine a more fitting or more profound way to pay your respects to someone? All of Nature and Space as memorial? I like to think that is true for everyone we've loved and lost. In returning to the 'great beyond' (however you conceptualize it), they are memorialized by the fabric of space, time and Nature too. If we take a moment to look at and connect with Nature, then we are remembering them, connecting with them too. A wink is an oh-so-human connection of happiness, and fun. 

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The moon will be full on the 31 for the second time this month, a "blue moon" no less. If there is anyone you want to remember, anyone you miss, or a single science-loving bone in your body, why not look up and give the moon a wink and smile.

 

Half coin moon rises
Heavy with coming fullness
Hope shines silver light

poem courtesy "Baihu's Haikus

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