I bought my tween son a drum set.  

  <Pause for condolences>

Based on my somber mood as I drove to the store, you might have thought my beloved dog had died.  I fought the good fight in my head, listing all the reasons I shouldn’t be making this purchase.  Visions of money being flushed down the toilet were rivaled by the agony of cleaning out space in my house for the aspiring rock star to practice.  I am acutely informed about the number of second-hand drum sets that are available in the classifieds.  As I scanned them for a deal that might ease my discomfort, I was bothered by an eerie foreshadowing – might our set be listed here one day soon?

After lengthy angst, another voice of reason took over and reminded me of how I got to this point.  My son had successfully completed a full year of school-based drum lessons with nothing more than a snare drum and a rubber pad; and still he requested to continue lessons throughout the summer.  He did his time I figure.  Proved himself worthy.  Besdies, hadn’t I made a similar financial investment in a flute for my daughter?  (Yes, but that stores itself discreetly in the corner and sings so sweetly.)

The young drummer who sold me the set tried his best to reassure me.  He even offered to remove the ‘muffle pads’ from the drum heads so the sound would be more authentic.  I’m pretty sure he was offended when I busted out laughing and said, “You’re so funny!”  He wasn’t joking.

Happily I can report that in it’s first week as a resident in our house, the drum set has not complained of lonliness.   This new addition has seen ample play time, including time with my husband – an aspiring tween drummer from way back.

Truth be told, I’m glad my son has a creative musical outlet.  He is not a loquacious lad.  Nor is he free with his feelings.   I’m often challenged to find ways to help him express himself.  Music is a universal language that can promote self-expression.  So if the drums are his choice, so be it.

I’m just not sure what I’m more worried about:  that the drums will not get used, or that they will!