Moon Message

It’s almost 40 years since man landed on the moon and Neil Armstrong uttered those famous words “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind”.  Apparently he was supposed to say “That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind” but the “a” was missed out. 

Initially, Armstrong confirmed that he did say “a man” but the technology of the day failed to pick it up. But a digital audio analysis conducted by Peter Shann Ford, an Australia-based computer programmer, claims that Armstrong did, in fact, say “a man”, but the “a” was inaudible due to the limitations of communications technology of the time. Armstrong has since said that he prefers the version that is now generally accepted.

Buzz Aldrin who was the second man on the moon said “Magnificent desolation” as his first words after stepping onto the moon’s surface.

What I find interesting to think about is just what might have been said if somebody were landing on the moon for the first time today. How would the issues that affect us right now have influenced what was said?

If major corporate sponsors had been involved, would the astronaut’s space suits have looked more like a Formula One racing driver’s outfit covered in branded patches? Would we have got more of a pithy sound bite rather than a dramatic statement? Who knows!

However, to celebrate the fortieth anniversary of Armstrong’s famous message from the moon, SentForever will shortly be allowing people to send free messages into space. Maybe your words for your loved one will mean just as much to them as Armstrong’s did to mankind forty years ago.

What do you think man’s first words from the moon might be if we landed there today?

Key moments during a child’s first year

The eternal child

A baby’s first year is a time of rapid change. There are moments which are significant gateways into next stages of life. In many cases we wait anxiously for the moment to happen, and when it does – it’s over so quickly, and you’re on to the next stage – that it’s important that you capture and celebrate these precious moments.   

Some key moments mentioned by parents are:

• Taping your baby’s first babbles and sending it into eternity.
• Others wanted the first distinctive ‘mama’ and ‘dada’ words.
• Others wanted the date their child took their first unaided steps, and also the photographic proof to be sent into eternity.
• Some parents focused on the first real words said. My son’s first other word was ‘ball’, and I can recall the pride in his face when he said it and realized we understood it.
• A photo with the smile showing the first tooth it also a special occasion.
• Naming ceremonies or christening ceremonies where a child is formally given their name is also an occasion to make eternal. At my son’s naming ceremony we expressly asked friends and families not to bring a material gift. Instead we asked each person to write up a blessing or wish for his life which was read out on the day, and it formed an emotional part of the ceremony when each person read out their wish or blessing for him.

Make sure you capture the important moments in your child’s life and mark the ceremony with the attention it deserves.