Each night a Marin County boy looks to the moon from his bedroom window to find comfort after losing his parents.
"Sometimes when I look out at the moon I wonder if my mom and dad are watching me," wrote 11-year-old Max Boddington in an essay about his loss. "Especially.when the moon is full and bright. Can you see me, Mama? Can you see me Daddy?"
Seems that essay caught the attention of Max's hero, Neil Armstrong, shortly before the space legend's death. Armstrong wrote an email to the boy earlier this month after Max's adoptive mom sent him a copy of her son's moving words.
"I was so touched and so moved that this number one space hero would take time out to answer a little boy and his essay," said Janet Boddington who tracked down Armstrong's address and mailed him her son's story.
Armstrong emailed back saying, "Thank you for sharing Max's essay with me. It is very poignant and erudite for an 11-year-old. Tell Max I send him my very best wishes for good luck and success."
Max, who dreamed of meeting Armstrong says they are words he will always treasure.
"That's awesome that he wrote back that was his writing," Max said. "It's like I already met him but in words on a piece of paper. That's one way to meet someone on a piece of paper."
Max's new mom says Armstrong's reply means the world to Max and his family.
"I said Max this is such a special treasure that you have this letter and you were able to reach him just prior to his death," she said.
Now Max says when he looks at the moon he not only feels his parents looking down on him, but he feels Armstrong too. His moongazing has never meant so much.
"It makes me feel happy to look at it."
