Homecoming Court – 'WIL'ingness = Willing to Embrace Extra in Life

Wil leaned his head against the passenger-side window. His brand-new and carefully-chosen checkered shirt, maroon tie and navy pants were dry, but his spirits were dampened. My dad was parked next to us in the United Methodist Church lot, which was just a flight of stairs above the football field.

“I know it’s raining, but do you want to roll down the window and talk to Grandpa?” I asked.

Wil didn’t answer me, but he lifted his head and pressed the window button down. My dad asked Wil multiple questions to elevate his spirits. (Thank goodness for amazing grandparents!)

The MHS homecoming game had been delayed by a lightning strike. Then by another strike. A downpour of rain followed. We were now nearly into an hour of delay. During the school day, Wil had practiced walking across the football field with his paraprofessional, Kristi Campbell. Wil and I talked about his being on the homecoming court all week, so he was well-prepared to cross the field with Memphis, who also represented the freshman class. I anticipated a chance of rain, and knew Wil wouldn’t want to cover up his new clothes with just anything, so we bought a new raincoat. The largest obstacle I foresaw was the band. Wil doesn’t like loud noises, and he might refuse to move. I assured Wil that he’d be crossing the field after the band played, and I’d have his ear protectors on hand. What I didn’t anticipate was a lightning delay.

My cell phone rang. It was Kristi Campbell. She and Memphis were headed up to the parking lot to meet us. Kristi suggested taking pictures under the front overhang of the church.

Wil’s eyes widened at the sight of Memphis. She was gorgeous in a full-length, sparkling seafoam-colored dress. Wil stood tall and proud linking arms with Memphis for pictures. Though they weren’t on the football field as planned, this was definitely a moment for Wil. (As Kristi knew it would be. Thank goodness for amazing paraprofessionals!)

Multiple cars exited the parking lot as the delay continued. I knew Wil wouldn’t want to go home. Fortunately, his sister Katherine was working as a server at a local restaurant. I suggested we visit Katherine and order some food.

At the restaurant, Wil asked me about the homecoming dance. I sadly didn’t have an answer for him. Then, almost as if on cue, my cell phone rang. It was Kristi Campbell. The game was cancelled but the homecoming court would now be at 9:00pm followed by the dance. It was 8:58pm. Our food hadn’t arrived, so I asked Katherine to change our order to a carry-out that we’d pick up later.

We met Memphis back in the parking lot, as her family had quickly returned too. The rain, and the band, had taken leave, so Wil walked onto the football field without hesitation (and without his raincoat). He smiled for every picture and soaked it all in.

Wil’s friends, Sarah and Seeger, ran up to congratulate him. They asked Wil if he was going to the dance. The dance would be a major independent experience for Wil. When Wil gets tired, there is no turning back. Not everyone can read his cues, and by the time they do, he has shut down. But Wil’s friends know him well. I asked Sarah and Seeger if they could text me when Wil grew tired and I’d be right up at the school to pick him up. They accepted that responsibility without hesitation. Wil made it through nearly the entire dance with his friends. After the dance, Wil’s friend Ashley texted me videos of Wil dancing the night away. (Thank goodness for amazing friendships and happy endings!)

Wil was elected to homecoming court by his freshman peers at Manchester Junior/Senior High School. As you can imagine, my heart swelled — for Wil and for his friends, and for any positive ripple effect beyond the borders of their school. Wil’s friends didn’t vote for him to make a statement. They voted for Wil because he is their friend. And yet their example makes a statement.

When Wil and I went shopping for his homecoming outfit on Thursday night, Wil made very thoughtful choices. He sought out a maroon tie as Manchester’s school colors are maroon and gold. He then found a checkered shirt to match his tie, though I’m still unsure if the checkers are maroon and black, or maroon and navy blue. It was of no consequence, however, as Wil was determined to find navy blue slacks. (Navy blue is his dad’s favorite color, and these were grown-up slacks, so I followed the logic). As Wil typically wears casual pants that come in S-M-L sizes, I was shocked to discover Wil has grown into a size 32X30!

Each piece of Wil’s outfit, once tried on, deserved a dance in the mirror. Wil didn’t want to use the dressing room so I helped him button the checkered shirt over his t-shirt, then put on his tie. He opened his arms wide in front of a mirror, commented on how good he looked, and spun around to get the full 180-degree view. I helped him pull the navy blue slacks up over his shorts. He wiggled his hips with moves that would make Elvis stop and take notes. He then put on his new shoes and kicked out what looked like an Irish jig.

Satisfied with his selection, Wil removed the new clothing, stacked it up to carry it, but chose to wear the new shoes home. We made our way to the cashier, though it took us some time. Wil stopped for a high-kicking dance in his new shoes at each mirror along the way; his new wears draped over his left arm.

Wil never meets a stranger at the store. And no wonder. Who wouldn’t be drawn to the refreshing energy of a teenager that so quickly and freely shares their joy? By the smiles on our fellow-shoppers’ faces, I have no doubt a positive ripple effect extended beyond the borders of the store.

Wil reminds us how amazing the simple pleasures of life really are, even if we are all grown up! Wil’s not living his life in an effort to make a statement. And yet his way of life does exactly that.

By the time you read this he will have walked across the court. So that will have to be a story for next Monday.

In the meantime, whenever you pass a mirror, remember to kick up your heels and do a quick dance along the way for Wil and his friends. Every positive ripple counts.