big brothers

Two teenaged boys and a squirt in third grade were playing sand volleyball this evening near a playground Little Man and I frequent quite often. I cringed inside when I realized that Little Man wanted to hang out with them. His Asperger's makes social situations a trial, because he wants so much to be included but he just doesn't know how. However, the teenagers asked him several times if he wanted to join, and he said no. Then he changed his mind and joined in for a little while, peppering the banter on the court with the Spanish he's been learning. They were kind enough to tolerate his awkward attempts at social interaction, and he enjoyed the experience immensely. Thank you to the mom who raised those two - I see them playing with their younger sisters and being awesome big brothers too. Thank you.