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Rideshare Celebrations
A driver recounts a few rites of passage shared with his passengers
Sometimes while out cruising around working as a rideshare driver I come to a crossroads. Suddenly, I am thrust in the middle of a joyous moment or celebration, finding myself serving as the chariot to or from a momentous milestone in the lives of my passengers. As I was combing through notes on past rides the other day, I came upon a week where I was blessed to find myself in three such circumstances within the brief span of a few days. I feel honored to have been able to provide a small insignificant service for the following people on some of the most significant days of their lives.
Birth
On Mother’s Day 2018, I was driving somewhere between Salinas and Monterey when I received a ride request to carry two elderly passengers to Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital. They were a kind-hearted and caring couple who were beaming from ear to ear. I asked them about their day for their mood did not seem to indicate that they were headed to the hospital for medical care. I soon discovered that it was their second trip to the hospital that day. They had been sent home earlier, but had finally received notice that now was the time and the moment they had been eagerly awaiting.
They announced with great pride that they were headed back to the hospital as their daughter was…
