Yesterday morning, I arrived to drop Benjamin off at school a little earlier than usual, all thanks in part to Daylight Saving. As Benjamin and I entered the classroom, we were met with students buzzing around, playing with different toys, and others running around the room keeping their aides already on their toes. Each day I watch Benjamin as he enters the room. Slowly at first, then walking with purpose across the room to his favorite spot under a stretch of long cabinets against the wall, where he sits under them, watching the rest of his peers play and frolick about. He loves to sit and watch, it's definitely one of his endearing qualities. I can only imagine the amount of information stored inside of his 8 year old brain.
But today, as we entered the room, I noticed his aide was not there. I worried as much that she may not be there, but thankfully the teacher informed me that she was down at the cafeteria and would be back any minute. No worries. So I pulled up a small chair and sat near the door, watching as Benjamin scanned the room. For random toys, I assumed. Not more than 15 feet from me, a mother sat near her daughter at one of the center tables. Benjamin made his way over near them and reached for a small basket of crayons. I was under the impression he was looking for something to play with, when he put the basket in front of this mother looked her straight in the eye and tapped the crayons inside the basket, "aaahhh...", was all he said. He then walked away back over to his spot under the cabinets across the room.
I was in utter shock. From a normal stand point, most people wouldn't have thought twice about what had just transpired. But this simple act alone was huge. The mother smiled and said, "Oh, how sweet are you?...thank you! (Daughters name) would you like to color?" The little girl nodded her head, yes. The teacher then recalled that this little girl and Benjamin frequently work together at their working centers and that she loves to color. While again, this may not seem profound to most but it was pretty significant to us. This moment wasn't just about her coloring or that it was sweet that he gave them to her, it is the simple fact that he considered another persons needs or wants. He remembered her love of coloring, and initiated the act of getting her the supplies she needed. To clarify--I know that Ben is aware of others. He may not always respond the way we would like him to, but he knows. His world, although different, is heightened in sight, sound, and sense. The beauty in this moment was that for the first time, I was able to experience it. I was able to witness something I never had before. A tender mercy, in the midst of my selfish wants. I needed to be reminded that this wasn't about me. It was about him.
I needed to be reminded that while his progress and academic achievements are no where near his peers, he works hard and never gives up. He is learning at his own pace and his value as a person does not matter where he falls academically or in comparison to his peers. He has potential. And he is just fine.
