I thought it would be a great idea to take my son and daughter to the library to meet Chris Hadfield! I have been showing my son youtube videos of Chris Hadfield in space and playing his guitar. I showed him a youtube video of Chris singing along with the barenaked ladies. My son knew him more as the musician other than the astronaut...well, yesterday my son was going to meet him!
However, when we got to the library it was packed with people. It was at the Milton library and it is a small place. We were shoulder to shoulder. There were long lineups and huge waiting times. That took some of the fun out of it for my son. I could see in his eyes that he was starting to fade. I promised him ice cream afterwards for all the standing and waiting we had to do. But, was it worth it!!!!Yes!
First, in the library, he was introduced and then he gave a speech, which was perhaps one of the best speeches I have heard. I will paraphrase since I can not remember the exact wording. But, he started out by saying that he always found the question as a kid: what do you want to be when you grow up? kind of silly. He found it silly because, at the age of 5 and up, you don't even know what jobs are out there, what even exits and all the possibilities that you have. You could create your own job, be your own boss for all you know. For him, at least he had the local library. He picked out his first book on space at the age of 9. He went on to say that one can't just pick out a book on space and say that is what I will do. The idea of the library is to provide ideas and tools and stepping stones to get you to where you want to be. Books, computers, articles, magazines, the library provides you with all the resources to gather information and connect with your community. For him, he thought what is the closet thing to space for right now, so he got books on planes, flying, wheels, digital media etc. All the books came in handy because he ended up being a pilot, which led him to being an astronaut. He ended his speech with: if anyone asks you want you want to be when you grow up, you can say: Let me go to the library and explore all the possibilities and do some research and then I will get back to you!
I looked over at my son, sitting on one of the chairs with a drowsy face. I don't think he got any of that. He was so tired. So, in the meantime of waiting to get our books signed, there were activities that the kids could do until our number was called.
The kids played some computer games. And Sonja wanted me to carry her, but I refused and she jumped on me and ripped my black shirt exposing my white bra. She ripped it all down the front just before our number was called. I was so embarrassed. I couldn't believe she was that strong. So, I told her off and my husband was wearing a black shirt over a white one and so he agreed to give me his. I changed in the bathroom, but he had sweat stains under his arms from wearing it all do. But the alternative was to shake Chris's hand, while my white granny bra is showing. So, I had no choice. Thank goodness for my sweaty husband to come along and safe the evening. Chris was way too busy to notice that I do not believe he even looked long enough at us to notice. My son was able to muster up half a grin, but he knew he was tired. Ice cream afterwards cheered us up and put us in a better moor. As for my shirt, that is in the garbage and my husbands shirt went straight into the wash.
Overall, even with two moody children that did not realize the extent of this moment and how exciting this was, once in a lifetime kind of experience, we all had a good time being together. It gave us a reason to talk about his book: An astronauts guide to earth and space. As my kids get older and more interested in stuff, they will see the book he signed with our names and his and then the moment will hit them, and what a moment it was!!!!
In 10 minutes, I pick my son up from the bus stop and I wonder what stories he will have about his day and if he told anyone about yesterday and what people may have said. Perhaps, he may have said nothing and that is perfect as well. But, there will be stories and that is always something I look forward to as a mom and that I can count on!
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