This is the “First Step” video for Louis Vuitton Journeys alluded to in yesterday’s post — I was going to tack this on at the bottom, but I wanted the video to have it’s own entry. It’s marvelous, and I hope you watch it, because in it, you get to see astronauts, some of the great people of our time, being profoundly human.

Jim Lovell (Apollo 13, which did not land on the moon) looks at his companions and says, “Why me? Why on 13? Why not wait ’til 14, or do it on 12?” He and his fellow crew members performed admirably and were able to get back home against overwhelming odds, but in this video — and mind you, this is just a small part, but it struck me — you see something in his eyes and his voice that is singularly familiar. “WHY ME?” “WHAT are the ODDS..???” We’ve all felt like that.

I just want to say that Sally Ride is charming and beautiful. I haven’t seen a picture of her in a while, and she’s cute and down to earth. I’d like to give her a big hug. What a tremendous role model she is for young women, especially given her grace and humility.

I leave you with a quote by Buzz Aldrin, from the end of the video:

“So what did I know how to do? Be a space man. Think about the future.”
— Buzz Aldrin