The return address was from Benjamin's high school. Sometimes they send notices about upcoming events, like fundraisers. Other times it is a form to fill out, or updates about vacations. For reasons  I cannot fathom he is often on the honor roll, and they send induction details for the academic society. His day mostly consists of making brownies to sell to the mainstream kids at lunch, job training, and delivering mail around the school. But in their generosity they give him high marks for this and he ends up on honor roll. Which is fine. 

But one day a few weeks ago the brief letter congratulated him for being Student of the Month, and invited us to a board meeting where he would be applauded. 

Huh?

Don't get me wrong, we love Ben. A few Christmases ago his older brother had t-shirts printed with a hundred dollar bill on them, and Ben's face photo shopped over Franklin's. The comment said "It's All About the Benjamin", and if the last time our whole family went out to eat is any indication, this is often true. A new game sprouted, specifically designed for his strengths, in which someone starts with a challenge. 

"I am thinking of a character."

The inquiry begins. 

"Is it a Pixar movie?"

"Is there a princess?"

"Are there talking animals?"

"Is it in Asia?"

Often Ben nails it in six questions. Not only that he is a beast when it comes to coming up with his own character. He will pick Aladdin's rug, or Lightning McQueen. 

We arrived with Ben at the school board room, along with a troop of doting parents whose child won in the recent Science Fair. There was pizza and balloons in celebration, which definitely made Ben feel special. When it was his turn to be recognized, Ben went up, perhaps unsure if this would hurt. Although he has never been sent to the principal's office, eight men in suits can be off putting. A kind woman read the award, citing his cheerfulness in delivering mail, and smiling when he comes through the door. They took his picture. 

I almost cried. 

How is it that I live in a world where a kid with autism can be celebrated for his own worth? There are so many metrics available to blast his failings. 

Having Benjamin in our lives has taught me to look for, and find the good in another, in a manner I will not soon forget.