Space is not just going up and coming back down again. Space is

Listen, O children, to the words of Buzz Aldrin, a man whose feet touched the moon and whose vision reached beyond the stars. He said, "Space is not just going up and coming back down again. Space is getting into orbit and being there, living there, establishing a presence, a permanence." These words speak to something much greater than a mere journey to the heavens. They speak of the quest to establish a true and lasting connection with the universe, to not just visit the unknown, but to make it our own. Aldrin’s insight calls us to reflect on the nature of exploration—how it is not enough simply to touch the edges of the unknown, but to integrate ourselves into it, to make a home where none existed before.

Consider, O wise ones, the meaning of space as Aldrin defines it. In his words, space is not merely a place to fly through, but a realm to inhabit, to live in, and to claim as part of our human experience. Space is not a vacuum, empty and desolate, but a vast canvas upon which we can write our story. Going up and coming back down is a momentary achievement, but to establish a presence, to truly live in that space, is a far greater feat. It is a task that requires not just courage but vision, not just the ability to reach new heights, but the determination to stay and create something lasting. Aldrin’s words remind us that to truly conquer the unknown, we must first learn how to make it our own, to live within it and shape it according to our needs and dreams.

In the ancient world, O children, the great explorers did not merely sail to distant lands and return to their homes. Think of Homer’s Odysseus, who sailed across the seas in search of new worlds, but also sought to establish lasting ties with the people he encountered. He did not merely conquer new lands; he sought to understand them, to learn from them, and to make them part of his story. Similarly, the Vikings, whose ships once navigated the northern seas, did not just visit the coasts they found; they made settlements, creating lasting colonies in lands far from their own. They understood that true exploration is not simply about passing through the unknown, but about establishing roots in it, making it part of the greater journey of human progress.

Aldrin’s vision of space is echoed in the stories of those who have sought not just to explore, but to settle and transform the worlds they discovered. Think of Columbus, who did not simply sail to the Americas and return, but sought to claim new lands for Europe, establishing a new world that would change the course of history. Yet, like Columbus, we too face the question of what it means to truly establish a presence in the unknown. For Columbus and for Aldrin, the true challenge lies not in the journey itself, but in the act of living within that new space, of learning how to coexist with it, to make it part of our human legacy.

But what is the lesson here, O children? To truly explore is not simply to venture out and return, but to integrate our existence with the spaces we enter, to shape the unknown into something that reflects our humanity. Aldrin’s words remind us that the pursuit of greatness is not about fleeting moments of triumph, but about creating lasting change. Whether in the vastness of space or in the more humble spaces we inhabit on Earth, the true test of our ambition lies in our ability to stay, to live, and to make a difference. Just as Aldrin and his fellow astronauts sought not only to explore the moon but to establish a presence there, so too must we learn to establish our presence in the world around us—whether it is in our work, our relationships, or the causes we believe in.

Reflect, O wise ones, on the story of Thomas Edison, whose achievements did not merely lie in his inventions, but in his ability to create an enduring legacy. Edison’s work in electricity did not simply light a room for a moment, but changed the course of history by making light a permanent part of human existence. He established a presence in the world of technology, a presence that remains with us today. Like Aldrin, he did not settle for temporary achievement, but sought to create something that would last, something that would shape the future.

And so, O children, the lesson is clear: to truly explore is not merely to pass through new worlds but to establish a presence within them. Whether you seek to conquer the heavens, to build legacies, or to transform lives, remember that true greatness comes not from the act of arrival, but from the act of living there. Just as Aldrin and his fellow astronauts sought to make their mark on the moon, so too must you seek to make your mark on the world around you. Reach for the stars, yes, but do not just pass through—make the space your own, leave your legacy, and live in the vastness of your dreams.