We'll have shrimp 'n grits and a gallon of honey mustard please

There is NOTHING I love more than being a mom to our two sons. I wish that I could go back to the days of lining Matchbox cars in a row so long that it went from Gregory's back wall all the way out the door and back to the days of walking the golf course as Bradley's cheering section when he was number one seed for the golf team.

Our two little boys are now men. Handsome men that are following in their daddy's footprints. They are following in his path of being men of honor, men of respect, and men that know how important family is. I know, without a shadow of doubt, that our two son's LOVE their mommy.

On Sunday afternoon, some of the most important people were with me. We were ALL together. We were a family. On Sunday afternoon, we went to the hottest spot in Woodstock. We went to Cracker Barrel!

My college roommate and lifetime friend Nancy, better known to me as Nancella, and her family came down on Saturday evening for the rest of the weekend. Although Tommy is Nancella's husband, he is one of Butch's best friends. When they asked if they could come, I knew that Butch needed this so very much. I knew that he needed to be surrounded by someone who knows him and loves him. He needed Tommy. But more than even that, he needed Russell. Nancy and Tommy have a beautiful daughter Ashley who is close to Bradley's age. They were blessed with adopting a toddler many years ago from Russia. That toddler is now a teenager who will be going to high school next year. No, it can't be possible. What is it with these little boys growing into men. We must put an end to it, for the sake of every mommy out there. Butch needed Tommy, but he needed Russell even more. Butch and Russell have a bond unlike I've ever seen. Butch would stand in front of me, Bradley, Gregory and Russell to take a bullet for us. Yes, Russell is an important part to his Uncle Butch's life.

Fast forward again to Sunday afternoon. Bradley and his beautiful girlfriend Val, and Gregory with his precious finance Loren were all together waiting for us. Seeing the sight of the 4 of them standing together is one of the best memories that I have. I am the oldest of a family of 5. I have more than one person to be able to share my childhood memories with. Our boys ONLY HAVE EACH OTHER. I know that I can't make them always love each other like I was able to MAKE them eat their vegetables when they were little. All I can do is pray that they ALWAYS know that they have EACH OTHER. So you can only imagine how I got goose bumps seeing our boys with their girls, all together. The 4 of them, all together on a Sunday afternoon. My wish is that the 4 of them will be together for each other throughout their life. Butch and I definitely know the trials of sibling relationships. The 4 of them...I want it to be that they gather strength from each other. The 4 of them...I want it to be that each forms a part of a square that is bound together in the corners. Each side of the square can see each other at all times. The square that will be filled in between with many memories.

Bradley tried the shrimp and grits. He's our adventurer. He enjoys new experiences, new tastes. Gregory had .... what was that ... ummmmm.....lets see......oh that's right, Chicken Tenders with a gallon of honey mustard on the side. Gregory doesn't like change. Why try something new when you know you like chicken tenders. I really must insert a quick commercial for Cracker Barrel. I had the chicken spinach salad. It was absolutely DeeeeeeeeeeeLicious! I could eat one of those each and every day. It was on their special insert rather than their menu, so you may want to walk very quickly to the nearest restaurant so you know what I am talking about.

On Sunday, I beamed with the corners of my smile touching the sides of my ears. Important people that I love were ALL together. If it took this ugly disease to get us all together so that I could be so happy, then so be it. I'm ready for the fight. We're here and we can't do anything about it. Come on Wednesday afternoon so that I can find out how I can begin this fight. I'm ready!