Edit Content
Click on the Edit Content button to edit/add the content.

Why I’m Grateful for Video Games

When my oldest was deployed in Afghanistan at 20, my youngest was around 8. I’ll do the math for you, they are 12 years apart.

When he was out of the military at 23, Phillip, my oldest, went to South Korea to be with his then new wife. My youngest was 11.

Even though they are 12 years apart and spent most of Aiden, the youngest’s formative years a world away from each other, they are as close as two brothers could be.

I have gaming to thank for that.

Phillip Jr. home from his deployment with little brother Aiden, May 2012.
Phillip Jr. home from his deployment with little brother Aiden, May 2012.

They are both avid gamers and while we now live in the same town, only 2 miles away, they check in with each other every single day and play games together.

They are each others greatest cheerleaders and biggest critics.

They share their frustrations, goals, dreams, favorite memes and anything else you can think of while playing the latest MLB The Show or World of Warcraft, or any other of the zillion titles they spend their money on.

They also stay connected with friends who live all over the country and the world.

In fact, they are much better at keeping in touch with friends than I am.

I used to get really annoyed at their gaming, as most parents would. Those damned games, always getting in the way of chores or homework.

I grew up with my parents lamenting my own brother’s gaming, always complaining how he was wasting away his brain cells.

But the reality is that the games do play an important and positive role in their lives.

My brother, a veritable genius who I miss terribly, grew up to be a Chief Technology Officer of a company that creates medical billing software.

Some of my best memories are of playing games with him. And since he passed away 6 years ago, the memories are some of my most cherished.

And my boys, neither of which went into IT, learned to be brothers and best friends.

And this mami has video games to thank for that.

News:

National AIDS Memorial Quilt Stops in Memphis to Break the Stigma and Change the Pattern Around AIDS in Black and Brown Communities

— Change the Pattern Campaign Sheds Light on AIDS in One of the Nation’s Cities with the Highest Number of New Cases —

Creando caminos para una mejor salud a través de la nutrición y la atención especializada

RICHARDSON, TX — 22 de marzo de 2023 — (NOTICIAS NEWSWIRE) — En marzo, creamos conciencia sobre la importancia de la buena nutrición y del rol esencial que tienen los alimentos nutritivos para promover un estilo de vida saludable y activo en toda la nación. La educación es la clave para mejorar la salud y …

Don't Miss 'Un Cafecito Sin Nervios' - How To Help Middle School Latino Kids Open Up About Their Emotional Well-Being - An Exclusive Broadcast Event Only On Vme TV!

— Includes Special Welcome By Renouned Actor/Tv Host Mario Lopez! — — Brought to you by the Ad Council, Pivotal Ventures, and the Huntsman Mental Health Institute —

View More

8 Responses

  1. I have no problem with video games. In fact, I love that my kids play them. It really boosts their creativity, and they’ve made a lot of new friends from around the country on multiplayer.

  2. There are a lot of benefits to playing games. And staying connected with friends and family while having fun is a great one.

  3. I love video games too! My husband and I play together, our kids play with us too and sometimes other family members and friends join in on certain games too. It Is always a blast.

  4. I was hoping my teen and his grown brother who likes to game would bond like this, but they didn’t. They are close but the younger one doesn’t like his older brother crashing the party with him and his friends online. Bummer. 🙂

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

The latest cuentos...

image

How to Optimize Your LinkedIn Company Page in 2023

LinkedIn is a powerful tool for businesses to connect with potential customers, partners, and employees. It also serves as an excellent SEO tool when it comes to your brand. And…
image

Being an Award Winning Latina with Passionistas Project

My reward for the work I do in elevating the Latino community is beyond fulfilling. I get almost daily messages, calls, texts and other communications telling me how much this…
image

The Numbers Don’t Lie – Latino Consumers of Movies & Entertainment

Years ago I remember feeling frustrated with the constant onslaught of negative media portrayals of Latinos. You know the ones, where the only stories being shared were overly politicized negative…