The boys (Cameron and Casey) came over on Saturday for pizza and poker night. I haven't played poker since the head bonking, and was surprised at how hard it was for me. I haven't been drinking alcohol since January or so (the smell of ANY kind of alcohol makes me awfully nauseated), so that wasn't the problem.

My boys are just like me, in that they love to tease and poke fun. But they also know which subjects are off limits for that sort of thing. It would appear that they think that my addled brain is off limits for the teasing.

I was so proud of my sons Saturday night. They were both very gentle in explaining and re-explaining the rules to me all night long. They also both said encouraging things like, "it's OK, Mom, we don't mind" and things like that. Their voices were soft and gentle when they talked to me. It never felt, even once, that I was frustrating them.

I think I was frustrated enough for all of us.

I've seen this side of them in many situations. For example, when we talk about my youngest brother. Even though he's much older than they are, they are very kind and protective when talking about him*.

I am so proud of my sons and I'm grateful for the gentle spirits that were entrusted to my care. They are very, very different from each other in many ways- but when it comes to their hearts I think that nobody would argue that they are both very kind and gentle men especially when it comes to people with special needs.

I think I'm going to have to say no to the poker for a while. I wonder if they'd consider playing Candyland or Hi-ho Cherry-o? I had to play those games with them until I thought my brain would go to Jello and ooze right out of my ears. It only seems fair.

*One day I'll write about my youngest brother here. I haven't yet, because he's very special to me and I find it hard to put his situation into context without writing up his entire life history. His life history is not my story to tell.