Tonight we are planning an outing to the theatre to view Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace in 3D. H is revving up (in a good way) and Star Wars is increasingly becoming the topic of conversation as the day progresses. Personally – I find it delightful.
I can see already that the day is going to be peppered with questions to me about my Star Wars perspectives and a certain pride overcomes me that I can (almost) keep up with the intense and rapid recall of H’s vast mental catalogue of facts and observations. H is dipping back into a topic of intense interest that has been present for many a year (ok – pretty much his whole life) but is no longer the focus of his day-to-day routine. What I notice is that the return to these familiar interests as they rotate through his now variety of interests – is like visiting an old friend.
And… I am right… which is not always the case, but it’s nice when it happens. H is in his room making his bed. He asks me, “Mom, can I bring a lightsaber to the theatre… on my belt?”
Me: “Sure!”
H: “Mo-omm…” in that familiar two-syllable from-the-other-room call, “When did you first see a purple lightsaber?”
Me: “I believe it was Mace Windu”
H: “Yes – that was in The Phantom Menace – but you didn’t actually see his lightsaber in that episode. You could see him in the Jedi council – but he didn’t have his lightsaber out so you couldn’t see its colour. You don’t get to see it until Star Wars II: The Attack of the Clones.”
As he is rummaging for something in his room I hear the singsongy chant of happiness: “It’s Star Wars Day, Star Wars Day!! Star Wars Day…!!! Yay!”
H is still rummaging…
“Dooo, doo, do, do do do do doooo doooo” H’s version of the Star Wars theme drifts through the house.
and…
“I need to find my Jedi belt.”
and…
“Mom – do you think I should bring my new Darth Maul lightsaber??”
I respond: “Well – it is really big and it doesn’t have a belt clip.”
“You’re right!!”
Me: “You can wear your Jedi cape if you want to though.”
H: “Mom… I love you… I am almost looking like a Jedi.”
A bit later H is checking out Google images to see what he should do with his hair. He ends up looking at cool Star Wars stuff: “Oh… mom!! I love this site!! Think Geek! Look there is a Tauntaun sleeping bag… but it doesn’t make you stink. Look there is a telescope ring. See??? LOOK!! Mom!!”
“Wow!! A light saber umbrella!! You gotta see this!! It is sooo cool! Mom – isn’t that epic?!!”
I look over and see him decked out with a lightsaber, his Star Wars Commtech strapped to his belt, jeans and a Star Wars shirt… even a little pouch full of change which he is referring to as republican credits…
The movie is still 9 hours away… this is going to be an exciting and interesting day!
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30 Days of Autism is a project designed to fight stigma, promote civil rights, and increase understanding and acceptance for those who process and experience the world differently.
© Leah Kelley, Thirty Days of Autism, (2012)
Thirty Days of Autism 