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My friend and I went to one of our summer concerts last night (our last one is later tonight [ ]), and stopped at one of our favorite restaurants along the way for a bite to eat. While we were eating (and carrying on one of our usually endless conversations), a family came in and were seated at the table next to us. They were a rather handsome family, consisting of a man and woman in their early to mid 30’s; and their son, who I guessed to be about 10 years old (and cute as a button). Involved as we were in our food and conversation, that was about all the attention I gave them.
As we finished our meal, my friend left me to finish my coffee as he made a visit to the “necessary room”. I drained my coffee cup, took a fresh napkin, and wiped my face and hands. Then, as I rose from my chair, I happened to notice that the boy was looking at me, tapping his chin with his fingers. I thought he was being polite and discreetly pointing out to me that I had left some residue of food on my chin; so I smiled at him and said, “Thank you!”, took another fresh napkin, and started wiping my face some more. Naturally his parents were watching all this, and it was at this point that the father said to me, “That’s his way of saying hi.” It was only then that I realized the boy was autistic, and I felt like a first-class jerk. I apologized to the parents for my rudeness, then went to their table and held out my hand to the boy. He didn’t notice I had done so until his mother said to him, “Aren’t you going to shake his hand?” He then looked at me, smiled, and took my hand. Again I smiled at him and said, “Thank you.” “Thank YOU!” the father said to me. I gave them one last smile, and then left them to finish their meal.
That set the mood for the rest of the evening.
It was a small incident, to be sure; but it’s one I shall always cherish.
We do not remember days...we remember moments.
Cesare Pavese
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A brief encounter
By: ron on Sat, 23 August 2003 09:09 |
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Re: A brief encounter
By: marc on Sat, 23 August 2003 09:26 |
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Re: A brief encounter
By: marc on Sat, 23 August 2003 20:39 |
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Re: A brief encounter
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{{{hugs}}}
By: smith on Sat, 23 August 2003 13:31 |
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Autism
By: toms on Sat, 23 August 2003 14:00 |
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Oh, and...
By: toms on Sat, 23 August 2003 14:09 |
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Ron and Tom; thank you both of you for sharing... Hugs.
By: lenny on Sat, 23 August 2003 14:47 |
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Re: Oh, and...
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Aww
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Not to change the subject, but
By: brian! on Sat, 23 August 2003 23:26 |
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Re: A brief encounter
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Re: A brief encounter
By: timmy on Mon, 25 August 2003 08:59 |
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