Is Rep. Gabrielle Giffords Husband, Mark Kelly, Being Selfish?

Mark Kelly has come out and said to infinity and beyond. Alright, not those exact words but he is going up into space come April. It is not for you or me to judge this decision but we can at least discuss it. I will be honest with you, at first I was shocked by the decision. I could not believe this guy would leave his wife, not for another state, heck not even for another country, but to go to space. After thinking about it a few days it does make a little bit of sense.

I did not know who Mark Kelly or Rep. Gabrielle Giffords were before the incident in Tucson. I do not pretend to know them now but I do know that both of them are obviously fairly intelligent people with a lot of drive. You do not get to their positions without a lot of talent. I stated that I was taken aback when I heard Kelly was heading to space. I thought there is no way on earth I could ever do that in his shoes and while I am not in his shoes I think I would be staying with my wife but who really knows. I pray to never be in his position.

My thinking has gradually changed regarding Kelly's decision. I say Kelly's decision because according to a recent Associated Press article this is a decision he might have made alone. He is quoted in the article as saying "I know her very well and she would be very comfortable with the decision that I made." Here is my source (topnews360.tmcnet.com/topics/associated-press/articles/2011/02/06/142157-husband-giffords-would-be-ok-with-flight-decision.htm). He says in that quote the decision "I made." I do not know exactly what he means by that and I am a literal person so I take that to mean that he made this decision by himself. So is he being selfish?

I do not think he is being selfish. I think his going to space may actually be a very unselfish decision. It may be his desire to stay with his wife but he knows deep down that if she could (and maybe she is), she would urge him to continue to live his life and pursue new heights. Also, I think if Kelly were to stay home, to some point, the guy who carried out this rampage wins. He wanted to disrupt and destroy life and with Kelly not going to space he has continued to disrupt life months after the shooting. When Kelly goes to space in April, it is his and Gifford's way of saying we will stay the course and come out on top. You may have tried to destroy us and our family but we will not let you hold us down.

I know what I would do in Kelly's place but I am not in his place. It would take an extremely brave person to do what he is doing and I think it might just be the right decision. I will be praying for his safe journey and Rep. Gifford's continued improvement.