"For my confirmation, I didn't get a watch and my first pair of long pants, like most Lutheran boys. I got a telescope. My mother thought it would make the best gift"
- Wernher von Braun
About this Quote
This quote by Wernher von Braun speaks to the distinct upbringing he had as a Lutheran boy. Rather of getting a watch and his very first pair of long pants, which was a common present for Lutheran boys at the time, his mom chose to provide him a telescope. This suggests that his mother was motivating him to explore the world around him and to look beyond the traditional expectations of his faith. It likewise indicates that she was supportive of his interests in science and astronomy, which would later become his life's work. This quote speaks to the value of having an encouraging household and environment in order to pursue one's passions and dreams. It likewise serves as a reminder that often the most significant presents are those that encourage us to explore and find the world around us.
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