There’s a family portrait on the moon that sums up the bond of your parent’s dedication when growing up.
Astronaut Charles Duke took his first steps on the moon on April 20th, 1972. Not only was the 36-year old the youngest man to walk on the moon, he decided to make his family part of his history.
While he was on the moon, Duke dropped a family portrait of his wife, two sons and himself on the moon.
Written on the back of the frame was: “This is the family of astronaut Charlie Duke from planet Earth who landed on the moon on April 20, 1972.”
Duke later explained to Business Insider the reasoning behind his decision to drop the family photo, saying:
“I’d always planned to leave it on the moon.
“So when I dropped it, it was just to show the kids that I really did leave it on the moon.”
Duke had been separated from his family while training to be an astronaut, spending most of his time in Florida while his wife and sons stayed in their family home in Houston.
As a result, Duke felt he didn’t get to spend enough time with his children.
When Duke finally made it to the moon, he wanted his kids to know they were right there with him – and that the time spent apart didn’t mean he wasn’t thinking of them:
“So, just to get the kids excited about what dad was going to do, I said ‘Would y’all like to go to the moon with me?’
“We can take a picture of the family and so the whole family can go to the moon.”
While it’s not always possible to keep the work/life balance, Duke wanted to share his success with his family.
He added that despite the time and fact that the photo has faded, it “was very meaningful for the family.”
‘Cause some things, like your dad’s love, will always stand the test of time.
