Dear Maria,
You died on May 4th, 2059, in a top-secret quarantine center in Houston. I'm honestly not even sure you were considering all the freezing and space time stuff. You were pretty sick by the time we saw you, but you still looked beautiful as ever. The doctors have not given us much information on what happened, but they have stated it was alien in nature. As you wished, your body was incinerated after your death to ensure no one else would get sick. You were always thinking about everyone else up until the very end.
Two weeks after you died Diego graduated from high school as the valedictorian of his class. His cap was decorated with a cutout of the planet Jupiter and a rocket. He wanted to make sure you knew he was proud of you. He's always been proud of you; I've always been proud of you.
You would be happy to know Diego is going to Cambridge University this fall. He will be focusing on robotics with a minor in astronomy. I really hope he doesn't follow in your footsteps, but if he does you know I will support him unconditionally as I should have supported you.
You should know that you are and always will be your hero. You would not believe how proudly he speaks of his mother. I hope you know he never resented you for leaving. If you would have left it up to him, he would encourage you to go each and every time. Through him I've began to understand why you chose to go. I don't think I can ever truly understand, but I've learned to accept it was something you had to do.
Your gravestone sits next to your mothers. Of course, there is no body there, but it provides us a place to remember you. Of course, it's hard not to go anywhere without remembering you. There are already plenty of schools and streets named in your honor. As the woman who discovered alien life you've become somewhat of an American Hero, not that you did it for the fame. Your memory will inspire the next generation of scientist and space explorers.
Rest in peace Maria. I look forward to my time in heaven where you can finally tell me about all your space adventures. Until then you will be greatly missed here on Earth.
We love you,
Dad
YOU ARE READING
Europa
Science FictionIn order to embark on a mission to discover alien life on the icy moon of Jupiter Maria must leave her life on Earth behind, including her father and her seven-year-old son Diego. She thought the hardest part of the mission would be saying goodbye...
