How much would you pay to go to the moon?
I suppose there are a number of attractions to going to the moon. It would be exotic — the trip of a lifetime. Awe inspiring. Perspective shifting. People say that astronauts who have travelled there are never quite the same again.
But beyond that, it feels indulgent, so I can’t see myself having any desire to go. I’ve already experienced places that were spellbinding — the majesty of Antarctica, the glory of Kilimanjaro, deserts that spoke in silence. And yet, I’ve also learned that daily life can be just as awe inspiring. The ordinary carries its own astonishment if we’re paying attention.
Over fifty years ago, Larry Norman wrote a satirical song called Reader’s Digest. He sang about a world looking for salvation in all the wrong directions:
It’s 1973, I wonder who we’re gonna see
Who’s in power now? Think I’ll turn on the TV
The man on the news said China’s gonna beat us
We shot all our dreamers and there’s no one left to lead us
We need a solution, we need salvation
Let’s send some people to the moon and gather information
They brought back a big bag of rocks
Only cost thirteen billion
Must be nice rocks
The song is old now but, half a century later, those lyrics are just as relevant. We still chase the next frontier, while the miracle of being alive on this one slips by.
If I’ve learned anything, it’s that wonder isn’t out there on the moon — it’s here, waiting for us.
The Afterword 
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