the moon festival

I used to hitchhike a lot. Mostly it was just around town, a few blocks here and there, just because I could. Every once in a while, it was across the city. One time it was all the way to Salt Lake.

We were picked up by a guy visiting from China. Actually, he initially passed us by, got off on the next exit, turned back around just to come pick us up. Apparently, he was compelled to do so because that day happened to be The Moon Festival in his culture. The Moon Festival, from what I recall, was a great celebration for Buddhists. They ate special delicacies and spent the day celebrating the relationships they had in their current life as well as previous lives. It is believed, he told us, that on the day of The Moon Festival, you would meet the people who meant most to you in your last life. He picked us up because, he said, his soul recognized us. He shared mooncakes with us (I have not eaten one since) and took us the entire distance from where he found us to our destination. 

When I obtained my own mode of transportation, I too would pick up hitchhikers (pay it forward? Pay it backward? Something like that). I picked up Jesus Christ right outside of Cedar City as I was headed to St. George. Actually, I was headed to Hurricane, but he needed a ride to the very south exit in St. George, so I took him all the way down, then headed back up to Hurricane. 

On the ride, he did not tell me his name, nor did I mine. He was ragged, but with kind eyes and a strong, yet sweet voice. We talked about life and acts of kindness -- the usual conversation one might expect to have with the man. Upon reaching his destination, I have to admit, I was sad to see my new, unnamed friend go. After stepping out, he leaned back through the window and asked for my name so he could thank me properly, and when I told him, he gave it back to me and said, "You have a genuine heart and soul. These will carry you far in life. I am lucky to have met you. Thank you for that." His words filled me with warmth and I waved goodbye. 

He turned to go and I called after him, "Hey! You never told me your name!" 

"I go by many names," he responded, "But you can call me JC." 

The Moon Festival will fall on October 4th for 2017.