The Joy of Doing by Valarie Budayr

Since he was about 18 months old he has loved to beat and drum on things. As a very small boy he would toddle around the house taking all of my plastic containers out of the cupboard. With a wooden spoon he would spend long spells just singing and drumming himself tired.

Two years ago, his sister bought him a drum set as she was heading off to college. They love to play drum duets, or "Playing Stomp in the Basement" as they call it.

Often times friends come over to play "band" and hours of musical talent is enjoyed. It's been wonderful seeing all of them grow as musicians. And me, I have the best view of them all, ....the fly on the wall. They completely forget I'm there.

How thrilling it is to just watch him doing what he loves to do best.......play. There's been no lessons, no performances, just jamming. Playing to the music of all his favorite bands, Coldplay, Queen, Led Zepplin. Ok maybe some of those are my favorite bands, but he likes them too. 

Last week a major milestone passed as "O" played drums with Travis Patton and the Maryville Middle School Orchestra. It was also the first time "O" had ever played his drums anywhere but in 
our basement.

The thrill of hearing the warm-up at the sound-check and watching my boy more than hold his own. He my mind I always thought of him as our resident violinist but after having the experience of his joy in drumming. I will always think of him as my little drummer boy. 

There is such ease when one gets in the zone and just lives in the joy of doing.

Valarie Budayr is the founder of Audrey Press and author of the book The Fox Diaries: The Year the Foxes Came to our Garden and soon to be released The Ultimate Guide to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. She is passionate about making kid’s books come alive and you can find her doing that on her popular blog and website, Jump into a Book. When she isn’t being bookie, she is very happily the mother of three uber creative children, married to a wonderfully patient man who has come to love yarn, and caretaker of one adored cat. Other creative interests are music, travel, knitting (a bonafide yarn harlot), and gardening. She loves living a daily creative practice, where even a good cup of coffee is art.