Have you ever wondered about what is on the other side of the moon? I haven’t. I just presume that it is as pockmarked and empty as the side we see. I have no desire to go and take a look. It is sure to be as terribly dark and cold as the front side is unbearably hot. I’m just not the adventurous type. I get nervous just watching dangerous scenes in a movie, to say nothing of enduring the perils of a rocket hurtling through space.

That doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy looking at the moon and it doesn’t stop me from wondering why it doesn’t revolve on an axis like the earth so that we would see different parts of it instead of the same old face all the time. Does it have something to hide that it doesn’t want us to see? Or is it ashamed to let anyone find out there is nothing on the other side worth seeing? Actually, the moon is just a big hunk of rock with no feelings or thoughts. I feel sorry for it. It can never enjoy the pleasant views of earth that satellites show us.

There is one special characteristic of moons, namely, they don’t manufacture their own light. To shine, to be seen they need a sun somewhere to illuminate them. When the sunny side is not exposed, the moon disappears from sight. But we know it is still there. I wonder how many moons are out there we never see? Are they waiting for some passing sun or are they hoping that we will come by with our searchlights and inquisitive minds?

Now if you ask me if I would like to see the other side of a river or the other side of the country, I might take up your offer, because I like to travel and sightsee. But don’t ask me to climb a cliff or wander through a dense jungle full of poisonous snakes fighting off biting insects or soaked to the skin by an afternoon downpour. A safe, comfortable seat in the front of a car with a good unrestricted view is more my style. I don’t mind crowds or noise. I love to watch people and experience the hustle and bustle first hand.
Life is full of moons. Some are out of reach, so we just let them be. Some have mysteries and hidden sides that cry out for exploration. Some seem to draw us to them, so that we cannot rest until we have seen for ourselves what is on the other side. Some we are content to let others visit alone. Everyday is like an adventure on the face of the moon and every night is an excursion into its dark side. The only difference is that in the daytime we have the light provided for us and at nighttime we must provide the light ourselves.

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