Benjamin was gainfully employed. It was only one hour last week and another the week before but it counts. I asked to see the fruits of his labor and he pulled fourteen dollars and change from his wallet. 

 

Buying and selling have been a permeable wall for him. He has a debit card that he uses when he goes out for lunch, or buys Christmas gifts. The other day he plunked three boxes of his favorite cookies in the cart John was pushing.... one for his sisters, another for his brother, and one for himself. But no one in my memory has ever paid him for anything. 

 

We have thanked him, for efforts like his Venn diagrams which are clever. More than a hundred people expressed appreciation on social media when he sang Rainbow Connection. But there was no virtual hat to toss a few quarters into. 

 

Being on the spectrum seems to dim the urgency of such things as proving your self worth with a paycheck. Or maybe it doesn't. He did seem pretty pleased. 

 

There are businesses springing up that make the effort to hire people with disabilities. I have ordered from similar companies, and if there was one of those pizza places nearby I would show up as a customer. If a car wash with such an admirable goal was within ten miles my van would get spiffed up every month.

 

There is a qualitative shift that happens when we believe we have done a job well and been compensated. I would go so far as to say that meaningful work is near the crux of a blessed life. 

 

The puzzling thing is, I know of no way to either quantify or reward Benjamin for the far reaching effect he has made on my heart. Except that today is his birthday and we will have cake.