I was out-of-town recently and my husband got to "be me" for four days. That included driving the carpool. He had not spent much time before with T., a boy in Wil's special program in high school. When I got back I asked, "How'd it go?"
"Well, I really enjoyed getting to know T. better," he said. "He's really intelligent."
"Yes, I know," I said. Frankly, I was a little annoyed with him for saying that. It pushed my "intellectualism" button, that only those with lower "intelligence" need special programs, that we, as a culture, value traditional intelligence above all else. On and on I could go, but you get the idea.
My husband continued,"I said to T., 'You're really smart, T., that's one of your strengths.'"
T. replied, "Thanks. You know, Wil has strengths, too."
"He sure does," my husband agreed, "what do you think some of them are?" he asked T.
"Well, friendship, for sure. He's really strong at relationships."
My husband was blown away that not only had T. identified that in Wil, but clearly valued it.
Wil has a million strengths, but if I had to pick one and throw away the rest, I'd keep "strong at relationships."
Oh. I just got goosebumps all over. What a lovely story - from where STM paid attention, really paid attention, to the boys to where he interacted with them, to his acknowledgment of T's strengths to T acknowledging Wil's. Such a fantastic exchange full of love and light. Thanks for sharing!