That feeling came back to us as we recently sat watching coverage of the Artemis Program mission making its journey around the moon

I have to admit; we found ourselves completely drawn in. Sitting there in the comfort of our living room, watching that spacecraft circle the same moon we’ve all looked up at for years, we couldn’t help but be taken back in time to the very first moon mission so many years ago. Like many of you, we remember the sense of wonder, the anticipation, and the feeling that we were witnessing something truly historic. It wasn’t just an event; it was a shared moment.

And as we watched Artemis quietly glide through space, another memory surfaced, not from science, but from music.

The unmistakable voice of Tony Bennett, singing Fly Me to the Moon.

It’s funny how music does that. A single song can transport you just as powerfully as any photograph or newsreel. That melody, those lyrics, were part of the soundtrack of an era when space exploration first captured the world’s imagination. In fact, songs like this became closely tied to the excitement of early lunar missions, blending romance with the boldness of human achievement.

Take a moment to enjoy it again (you can skip the commercials):

There’s something comforting in hearing it now. The words may be simple, but they carry a sense of hope and curiosity that still feels just as relevant today. Back then, “fly me to the moon” sounded like a dream. Today, watching Artemis, it feels like a continuation of that dream, one that never really ended.

What struck us most during the broadcast was how familiar it all felt. The technology has changed, of course, far more advanced than anything we could have imagined decades ago, but the feeling hasn’t. That quiet sense of awe, the pride in human achievement, and the shared experience of watching history unfold … those things remain exactly the same.

It’s also worth taking a moment to recognize the Canadian connection to this new chapter in lunar exploration. Canada continues to play a meaningful role in the Artemis Program, something we can all take a quiet pride in. Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen was part of the Artemis II mission, becoming the first Canadian to travel around the moon, a remarkable milestone.

Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jenni Gibbons also played an essential role in Houston. Acting as the Artemis CAPCOM (Capsule Communicator), Gibbons served as one of the voices of mission control, guiding the crew through their deep space journey.

Behind the scenes, other Canadians are also helping guide these missions, including leadership roles within mission control and operations. It’s a reminder that even as we sit here in our own community, Canadians are contributing in very real ways to humanity’s return to the moon, continuing a legacy of exploration, innovation, and partnership that reaches far beyond our borders.

And for those of us down here at Halcyon Meadows, that connection is especially meaningful. We’ve had the privilege of witnessing extraordinary changes over the years. We saw the early days of space exploration, and now we’re seeing its next chapter. Not everyone gets to say they’ve watched humanity reach for the moon, twice.

And perhaps that’s what makes this moment so special. It’s not just about rockets or technology. It’s about continuity. It’s about remembering where we were, appreciating where we are, and recognizing that the sense of wonder we felt all those years ago is still very much alive.

So, the next time you step outside on a clear evening, take a moment to look up. The moon is still there, just as steady as ever. Somewhere out there, a spacecraft may be passing by, continuing a journey that began long ago.

And if you happen to hear that familiar tune playing in your mind, you might find yourself smiling, caught between memory and the present, between music and moonlight.

Some things, it seems, never fade.

They simply come around again.