Remember playing tag when you were a kid? What a fun game that sparked squeals of laughter and exuberant bursts of energy. Recently, I watched a PBS documentary
that highlighted the salient experiences of people living with autism spectrum. Each
person interviewed shared what it is like for them living in a “neurotypical” world. Their deeply personal insights revealed that it is anything but typical when trying to navigate everyday life.
People with autism may travel to the beat of a different drum but this does not diminish their special gifts that illuminates the darkness. One man’s story made a particular impression on me as he described his remembrances of the elementary school game of tag. While kids ran around carefree he stood on the sidelines just watching his classmates play. No one ever tried to chase or tag him.
One day out of boredom he decided to leave the gym. His teacher followed after him and said, “Come back, you are supposed get out there and frolic with the other kids”. Perplexed, he recalled spending a great deal of time afterwards thinking about the game. Admittedly, he probably contemplated it more than others might consider. He concluded that although one tries to avoid getting tagged it is really pretend. Secretly you hope that you will be noticed, chased and tagged, you’re it!
Over time, he came to realize that tag you're it happens
whenever we connect with life. Each time we listen to a gorgeous piece of
music, watch a sunset, taste something spectacular, experience intimacy, or connect
with another soul... you are it.
Personally, I love the evolution of this man’s experience
from feeling disconnected as a child to discovering a beautifully atypical analogy in grasping what it means to be here.
Now, tag YOU are it!
~Liz Sorensen Wessel
Dedicated to Reajie