Out Of This World

It was one of those wonderful moments that happen all too rarely in an MP's life. My kids were doing their homework while we were all seated on the couch and it ended up in a wrestling match. Suddenly my Blackberry rang with a message. I looked at my wife and wondered why it was I couldn't seem to even enjoy such moments without an interruption. To my shock, the message was from Bob Thirsk, the Canadian astronaut now circling Earth in the space station. We hadn't spoken in some time and I read his message with relish.A true Canadian treasure, Bob is in space for six months, growing over four inches in height in the process. As my three children and wife Jane gathered around, we opened up the photos Bob had sent just for us. One was of Madras, India - a place Bob and I had visited back in the early-1970s together. I still possess old 35 mm photos from back then, but they couldn't compare to this treasure of a picture of Madras taken from outer space.Our own space program in Canada has earned us a worldwide reputation as a highly innovative and resourceful country. More than that, it has proven we are a people with an imagination capable of thinking beyond our own borders. In Parliament, we fight for ensure that the program remains sufficiently funded and we take great pride as Members of Parliament when we hear of the great accomplishments of people like Bob Thirsk.I have had the pleasure of knowing two Canadian astronauts in my life. Bob is an important figure from my younger years. A solid man of patriotism and religious faith, his dedication has now fulfilled his dream of being where he right now.  Marc Garneau is the other astronaut I'm privileged to know. Just last week I sat with him, beaming in pride as Michael Ignatieff praised him for being our first Canadian in space and congratulating him on his 25th anniversary of his first space flight (he's had 3 altogether). Marc looked down shyly, as is his way. But not the rest of us: every single member in the House that day stood in honor of a truly good and unbelievably smart man.Just how lucky can I be? In real time, my kids opened up an e-mail attachment with a picture sent directly from the space station. To Bob, thank you for that moment we'll never forget. Enjoy what must be an unbelievable journey. And to both Bob and Marc, thank you for teaching us all that dreaming beyond our own limitations is a sign of a great people.