As many of you may know the space shuttle is scheduled for a Monday evening/Tuesday morning (depending on your location) launch. I have been a space nut since I was a little kid and if I could have my wishes I’d probably be on the shuttle myself.
But failing that I am incredibly proud and inspired by the fact that one of the astronauts on the current mission comes from my hometown of Stockton, California. Even more inspiring is the fact that Jose Hernandez began his life as the child of migrant farm workers. His own childhood included spending weekends and summers right next to them, picking in the hot sun.
But his parents used this to their advantage, reminding Jose that without a good education he could look forward to a life of manual labor, and he took their words to heart. He worked hard to overcome language and cultural barriers to graduate from high school and then to go on to the University of Pacific, where he graduated with high honors and a degree in engineering.
His family joined in his sacrifices, making the decision to skip the traditional returns to Mexico when the picking season ended. Instead they remained in Stockton, working hard at any job they could find to pay the bills.
That journey began in 1969, the year man first landed on the moon and the year Jose turned 8 years old. Some 40 years later, he is preparing to journey to the stars, and I don’t think he’ll be going alone. His friends, his family, his community and the many mentors who have helped him over the years will be going along with him.
In a time where the news is filled with so many stories of failure it is inspiring to see one of great success. A child who started out life picking cucumbers is now going to be soaring in the stars.