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A Cherished Gift

I walked into a middle school Special Education classroom with a little trepidation, not knowing what to expect. Being a substitute teacher, I have found myself in various classrooms teaching many different subjects. This group was a friendly, excited, and easily distracted bunch. I realized, with a smile, kids are kids, and had a lot of fun with them. I had the opportunity of getting a glimpse of the world through their eyes.

There was one little girl in the class that really stood out. She was quiet, shy, aloof, and had a far-away, dreamy look in her eyes. I realized she was high on the spectrum level of Autism and displayed all the general characteristics—repetitive behavior, little eye contact, difficulty with social interaction, but she was eager to please and a very sweet little girl.

One day there was a talent show at this school and many kids were eagerly planning to participate. On the day of the show, the auditorium was packed with noisy excited kids and their parents. I was amazed at the talent displayed that day with singing, dancing, and music acts.

A little girl stepped quietly onto the stage, smiling shyly, and staring at her shoes. Then, she looked up into the audience, and the accompanying music began. I realized it was the little Autistic girl. She was going to sing. With bated breath, I said a quick prayer that she had a good voice. I’d been in a lot of middle schools, and I know how cruel kids can be at times, and I did not want to see her spirit crushed. She proceeded to sing her heart out and sounded awful, flat, and off key. On her last note, she finished with a proud smile. There was a quiet pause from the audience, and I thought, “Oh boy, here it comes.” And then, everyone started clapping, cheering, and she received a standing ovation! I was stunned. Tears filled my eyes. I was so touched by the loving support and kindness of her classmates, teachers, and all the parents. I know that moment will live in that little girl’s mind the rest of her life. A cherished memory is truly a gift.

Sharon Robinson