There was something going on re the space program one afternoon when we had people over. Our exchange student, with very little English was excited and conveyed a story about the people in her village taking action when they heard the Apollo 13 mission suffered an accident, putting the astronauts in grave danger.
Seems, the village priest rang the hell out of his church bell, calling everyone to a special mass to pray for the American heroes in peril. Our guest was so proud of how EVERYONE in her little town turned out to offer prayers and send good energy to the astronauts and NASA scientists working to bring the men home safely. When the crew was safe, her town had another special mass of thanksgiving.
It made an impression on me that these people, with so little, dropped everything and did what they could. Now, I am not a big fan of prayer as an answer, but if that is the only arrow in a people's quiver, I don't see the problem with sending up an ask for help, and sending positive thoughts in hopes of bending things toward a better outcome. The people of that town dropped what they were doing to try to help. And it mattered to them that the outcome was good.
Of course, our summer guest was pretty sure it was the attention her neighbors gave to the tense situation that put NASA's efforts over the top. Who am I to say it didn't help? But her town put up pictures of those astronauts and feted them in absentia when they were home safe. The town had adopted Lovell and his crew. They became their brothers and sons.
Always hoped Lovell knew just how many people everywhere stopped what they were doing, in hopes their collective positive energy could help get him and his crew home.
It pains me to know so many of my fellow US citizens are too busy hating to take time to appreciate good works, good science, and peaceful people who just want everyone to be safe. It pains me that so few want our nation to achieve good works, good science, or even give a damn about others.
Lovell will fly forever in hearts and minds, if we just nurture good ambitions.
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