Drum Roll

 I fell in love with drums when I was about fifteen years old and discovering the big hair eighties bands. Bon Jovi being one of my favorites.  Every song they put out I fell in love with. I was raised in a very strict religious family and listening to rock music was forbidden and something I had to sneak around to do. I remember painstakingly creating my own mix tapes of my favorite songs recorded from the radio.  One day my dad found my mixed tapes and destroyed them all while yelling at me that they were the devils music and I had invited the devil into his house by making these tapes. I didn't believe that was true and I continued to listen to the forbidden rock station whenever my dad was not around. I loved how the beat made me want to dance and how happy I felt when my favorite song would come on. Yes Living on Prayer is still one of my favorites. 

I had a boyfriend at the time who could play drums. I remember asking him to play something for me every chance I got. I admired his skill on the drums but I never in a million years thought I would learn to play them. He tried to teach me and I felt silly and clumsy  holding the sticks and trying to follow  his directions. My efforts on the drums sounded more like a two year old causing his mom a headache banging on pots and pans, than a drummer in one of my favorite bands. I just figured I was not coordinated enough to be able to play the drums. 

It was many years later that I began to notice women drummers and my desire to be like them grew! There is even a old grandma that is known for her amazing drumming skills on YouTube and I had the thought "if she can learn the drums than I should be able too!"

Over the years I have had several self taught drummers try to teach me and I just couldn't seem to do it. Then last Spring I was at my sisters house for Easter and my brother-in-law explained the basic four count beat to me and he told me to do the kick drum on one and three and with my left hand, the snare on beats two and four. My right hand is hitting the high hat for each count. I started by counting out loud to myself. I would count louder on the foot kicks so that in my head I would be more aware of them. I felt so discombobulated and awkward but I kept trying. The moment it clicked I felt chills rush through me like a lightening bolt. I almost cried as I was so over come with excitement! I was playing the drums! I CAN PLAY THE DRUMS!!!! I had believed up until that moment that I was unable to learn to play the drums. I didn't have that talent or ability in me. And suddenly I knew that belief was absolutely not true!

The seed was planted and my dream to learn how to play the drums took root. I started dreaming  of taking lessons, I borrowed a drum pad from the library and annoyed my kids with my pounding the coffee table with the drum sticks. I heard the drum sounds in my earbuds but all they could hear was the bang, bang, bang on the table.  It just wasn't the same as a real drum kit but drum kits are crazy expensive and out of my single mom budget. The dream would have to be put on the back  burner for a future time. I would just play the drums when I visited my sister and brother-in-law's house. 

Then one day just about two months ago my sister shares her news that she was accepting a new job in Houston, TX and they would be moving soon. I was happy for her as this was a great thing for her career path but I was sad for myself as I would miss having her close by. Although I was sad, I did jokingly suggest that maybe while they were in Texas I could borrow Andrews drum set. I didn't really think that was a true possibility but I knew the plan was for them to get an apartment in the city out there and that he probably wasn't moving the drum set. 

That is how I manifested a drum set in my basement. I have had it about six weeks and have been watching videos on YouTube and practicing. Every time I learn something new and it clicks. I feel that same thrill inside me. I'm getting it! I'm a drummer!

Earlier tonight I was playing and my daughters boyfriend came downstairs and sort of jumped back in surprise because he wasn't expecting to find me on the drums. I felt so proud as his reaction to my current playing showed me how much I have learned already. 

Making this deep inner dream come true wouldn't have been possible in my former life, married to either of my husbands. It wouldn't have even been a consideration.  My life now has opened up so much space to allow room to dream and to attract opportunities to make those dreams come true. I have many dreams and this is just one of them. A little hobby of mine. Watch out world you may just find me rocking out with a band on a stage somewhere in the future.