I applaud Gabriel for his (non)accomplishments - particularly in finding appreciation for all of his brain-children, no matter what they've become. I don't thin

I applaud Gabriel for his (non)accomplishments - particularly in finding appreciation for all of his brain-children, no matter what they've become. I don't think it is a defense mechanism, I think it is a healthy appreciation for the life-death cycle that everything experiences. A knowing that is only got by "trying and dying" multiple times :) It will serve him well as a father too.