Children's Day - August 2010 - What I've Learned

I want to share with you today something I've learned from this 7 year old boy I have the privilege to know. Back a while ago we had this very interesting conversation - I'll resume it to you in the lines below.

People i care most about are

1st answer -> everybody i know
2nd answer (when i asked him but who do you love the most) -> my parents

What i like most to do

nice things, to write, to read , to draw , to color, to take walks , to go on excursions

I wish

i'll get good grades

One of the best thing i ever did

homework

playing

When i grow up i wanna be

a gardener - to plant legumes in the garden because they are good - the best

Things i don't like

to fight (phisically - to hit someone or to be hit by someone)

to do bad things

to be naughty
to shoot someone (i guess this came as a conclusion to something he saw on TV)

to destroy towns or the earth 

to fight - get upset with people or people getting upset with him

to tear and destroy things

What i like most

to be good and polite 

to be the best in school and at home (he has 2 older brothers)

beautiful sunny days

walks (30 minutes everyday)

to play with other children

to swim in the summer in the sea 

to gather and eat fruits

to be free (his words)

to grow up

to love you too (aimed at me - and I'm not family or anything that close)

That last answer is what offered me the lesson of a life time. It was honest, came natural and he even look a bit surprised at my very emotional reaction as to say - hey what's the big deal ? - this is true, isn't it true for everybody?

I wondered long if i should mention this - as it does not define him - but he is a child diagnosed with a Autistic Spectrum Disorder.