Eye Contact

     One day, on a playful whim in the classroom, I put on a pair of extra-large sunglasses to attempt eye contact with a student who typically would not make any eye contact; he lived in his own world. I had attempted to make eye contact with this particular student for more than a year. Nothing seemed to work; the connection to people just didn't seem to exist in his world. To my surprise, the extra-large sunglasses worked immediately. The student cocked his head and looked past (or through) the oversized glasses. As he stared into my eyes a big grin came across his face. Our worlds met. I forgot to smile back (at first) as he caught me off guard and unprepared. I was in awe. And by the smile on his face, so was he. It was as if we had met for the very first time.