Hayley Arceneaux.Photo: Courtesy Hayley Arceneaux
There’s my Inspiration4 crew, and then there’s my other crew — a.k.a. “krewe,” as we say in Louisiana. I wouldn’t be where I am or who I am without my family and friends. As we get closer to launch, I have been trying to spend some quality time with these loved ones, fitting in visits between training.
When I first was allowed to tell people outside of my immediate family the huge news of going to space, I FaceTimed my best friends. I had so much fun taking screenshots of their reactions. The pictures I have of them show confusion, shock and pure excitement. Along the way, they have all been so supportive, even creating t-shirts they’re wearing to the launch that say “Hayley’s Ground Krewe.” (Krewe is a nod to Mardi Gras krewes and our shared Louisiana heritage.) My girls are even creating more merch to help me raise funds for St. Jude to meet the $200 million dollar goal that’s been set as part of this mission to help find cures for childhood cancer.
When I was home recently, my friends threw me a small “Lift Off” party with a space-themed cake, moon and star decorations, and my favorite foods: chicken fingers and chips and queso dip. I won’t see the krewe again until after I get back from space, but they will be at my launch in Florida and staying there to welcome me back to earth when I splashdown three days later.
Hayley Arceneaux (right) with her cousin Lauren when Hayley had cancer as a child.Courtesy Hayley Arceneaux
For some of the training sessions, I’ve been able to bring family or friends. My cousin Lauren came with me to Orlando last month when I was training at Kennedy Space Center. We got to spend time together after the training days and even went to Epcot with the extended Inspiration4 family and some of the SpaceX team.
When I initially told Lauren I was going to space, she was equally shocked, proud and excited. She then had many questions, including, “Will you be able to wear makeup in space?” Fun fact: I didn’t know the answer then, but I know now that we can’t bring any powder into the zero-gravity environment (I will, however, have my go-to red lipstick).
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For me, friendships are sustaining and vital. My friends have been so uplifting and encouraging not just now, but throughout my life. For the people in my krewe it’s about putting each other before ourselves. These are the people that on my hardest days I can talk to and know they will be there for me. And I’m there for them, always. Of course, I won’t be able to physically see them at lift off, but I know they will be there with me then and every moment of this incredible journey.
To learn . Jude Children’s Research Hospital, theInspiration4mission and ways you can support and participate, visitstjude.org/inspiration4. Fans can alsofollow Hayley’s personal journey into space on Twitter.
source: people.com
