International Space Station (ISS) Astronaut Daniel M. Tani is too far away from his family right now, despite being, what, just a 100 miles or so away.
His 90-year old mother passed away.
It's the first time a close family member of an astronaut has died while s/he was in orbit.
The ISS has a Soyuz escape vehicle tethered to it, but if Tani, the flight engineer left, he would have to take the whole crew with him, meaning they would have to abandon the ship.
Tani's mother watched her son's latest successful take-off, but she herself was killed in a crash on a level crossing in Illinois.
Tani who calls his mother his inspiration won't be back to earth till next mont/year. It won't be until then that he can tell his family clearly that he knows that heaven is not up because he was there.
Rather heaven is where God is. And, where is Mother Rose is.
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