The Song of the Unafraid

Years ago, my team of six teachers threw a birthday party for a colleague. A self-conscious person much of the time, I’m completely one when it comes to singing. When it was time for “Happy Birthday,” I would go through the motions while making little to no sound.

It became apparent quickly, however, that one teacher on our team had a beautiful singing voice and also that she was the only one singing.

Not one to think quickly on my feet, I did so that day, because I felt the friend with the birthday deserved his moment in the sun. Putting fear aside, I joined the teacher with the lovely voice.

As soon as the song ended, I began to worry about what others might have thought of my voice. I stopped when the lead singer turned to those who didn’t sing and shouted, “What is wrong with you people? Shary and I were the only ones to sing for Bill!”

Well-meaning, ignorant people who don’t have kids on the autism spectrum tend to say, “God gives special kids to special people.”

In reality, He sometimes gives them to self-conscious people — those of us who are afraid to sing, so to speak, and don’t even know the melody or the lyrics.

It’s not having perfect pitch that matters. What matters is mustering courage and singing because you care about another person because you believe that person is important. I did that years ago for my friend Bill.

Today, I sing for Mark.

I will always sing for him, and I encourage you to join me.