Let me explain:
At 9:30am this morning I walk into the Seattle Aquarium (the only aquarium I’ve ever visited — since it is a conservation-based aquarium, not a dolphin and orka circus… yuck!).
I sit down to watch the fish-feeding exhibit from the enormous main tank… and I start to cry — from how beautiful these creatures are, as well as how little respect most humans have for Mother Nature… destroying their habits and depleting their populations. (I’m a raging optimist at my core, but sometimes humans massively disappoint me…).
And after leaving the exhibit with my heart cracked wide open… from joy and pain… along comes Nick! — An 18 year old volunteer— as he begins to explain detailed insights with gusto and verve about the nearby tank.
I ask him questions, but suddenly realize I’m 4 minutes from the start of the otter feeding — and, well… I’m secretly OBSESSED with otters!!!!!
So Nick decides to leave his station and walk me to the otters himself. I’m instantly drawn to Nick’s outrageous intelligence — and he soon shares that he is Autistic. (And since my brother has autism as well, he instantly feels like family.)
…And that’s when the magic began!!!!
Nick proceeds to give me my own personal tour of the entire aquarium for the next 3 hours straight! And if I didn’t have plans to go to the art museum next, I’d be hanging with Nick still…
I was RIVETED to everything he said (plus he’s pretty darn hysterical!). We discussed autism, otters, the history of the world, paranormal phenomenon, politics, aliens, the brain, and SO much more.
I don’t know if I’ve EVER had such a fascinating conversation with another human. And he said he hadn’t had anyone appreciate his brilliance so much, too. — So I think we’re bonded for life!!!
We’ve exchanged info… as it will be a delight to see how Nick changes the world. Amazing that we would label Nick as having a “disorder” — as he was the kindest, most charming, brilliant, fascinating, curious, passionate person I may have ever met!
So watch out when throwing around labels – for yourself or others – or you just might miss out on the once-in-a-lifetime experience I had today. …GO, NICK!!!
