Watching My Son Shine

Standing in the wings of the stage, I watch as my son, Hunter, takes his place behind the drum kit. The crowd is buzzing with excitement, the energy in the air almost electric. As his mother, I’ve watched him grow from a toddler who could barely reach the drums to a confident 10-year-old rock drummer leading his own band. As his manager, I know how much work he has put into this moment—endless hours of practice, rehearsals, and the occasional frustration of wanting to get everything just right. But as the lights shine down and the first crash of his cymbals rings out, I see nothing but pure joy on his face.

From my spot offstage, I feel my heart swell with pride as his sticks fly across the drums with precision and passion. The crowd is completely captivated, heads nodding and feet tapping along to the beat he sets so effortlessly. I remember the first time he played in front of an audience—how nervous I was for him, even though he never seemed to doubt himself. Now, watching him command the stage with confidence beyond his years, I realize he was born for this. The stage isn’t just where he plays music; it’s where he truly comes to life.

As his manager, I handle the behind-the-scenes details—booking gigs, coordinating rehearsals, and making sure he has everything he needs to succeed. But as his mom, my job is even bigger. I remind him to stay humble, to work hard, and to always remember why he started playing in the first place—because he loves it. Seeing that love reflected in his drumming, in the way he interacts with his bandmates, and in the way the audience responds to him makes every late-night practice and every long drive to a gig completely worth it.

When the final song ends and the crowd erupts into applause, I see Hunter’s face light up with the same excitement he had the first time he picked up a pair of drumsticks. He steps offstage, sweaty and grinning, and I wrap him in a hug, whispering, “You did it.” In that moment, I know this is just the beginning. My son is not just playing music—he’s living his dream, and I am beyond honored to be right here beside him, watching it all unfold.

Page last modified: Jan 29th, 2025