Building Bridges and Relationships

Have you eve watched kids on a playground or in the back yard?  There is a hierarchy of 'superiority'.  It is the same with a flock of chickens.  Leaders and followers.... and those poor *insert appropriate noun here* who have been marginalized.  You can always recognize them.... they are the ones with no feathers on their heads or between their wings....  Poor things.

People are the same.  We recognize the social hierarchy.  And those poor *insert appropriate noun here* who have been marginalized by societal requirements.  Those who are not attractive enough.  Not smart enough.  Not *insert appropriate adjective here*.

Yesterday, I spent some time people watching at the Mall.  (This is the BEST place to learn about human nature.)  Anyway, we were raising money for Autism Speaks and awareness about Autism and to publicize the Autism Speaks Walk on April 30th.  *Plug for Autism following:  If you are in the Permian Basin on April 30th - Come out to Mission Fitness around 0900 and join our walk.  Advertisement ends here.*

This couple with a young boy walked up, and asked about what we were doing.  I told them and the mother/wife told me.... "My son is autistic."  I said, "Oh, COOL!  You will want to come out to the Walk" -- and proceeded to tell her about the Walk.

Now, there is some question whether that was the most appropriate comment I could have made......  Was it COOL that this child has autism?  I think everyone is blessed (or cursed) with whatever it is that makes them --- them.  So, in a sense, it is cool that this child is autistic.  For whatever reason.... he is special.  Unique!  A one of a kind. 

And isn't that COOL?