The irrational fear

Guitars.

Who knew that guitars could be SO scary?

Well, they are. Terrifying, in fact. Just ask my 19 month old.

(Yes, Grandma and Grandpa bought the boys cowboy boots...
Tyson insists on wearing his when we go to their house.
Speaking of irrational fears...
Though, I suppose they are pretty cute.)

We became aware of this fear a few months back when we were at Auntie Erin's house. Erin has a guitar. When Tyson saw it, he exclaimed, "'tar! 'tar!" He seemed so excited that Erin promptly picked up the guitar and began to strum (rather nicely, I should add). Tyson quickly backed away and let out a panicked cry, as in "get me away from this horrible instrument of terror." Erin stopped playing and he was fine again.

This happened a few more times at her house and we just thought that if we could get him used to the guitar, it would be okay. He hasn't quite seemed to warm up to it, yet, but I kind of felt like we were getting there.

Until yesterday.

Yesterday was chapel at Trevin's preschool. On the first day of school, we walked into the sanctuary and a guitar was on a stand in the front. Tyson responded with the usual pointing and "'tar! 'tar!" I thought, Oh neat, the pastor's going to play the guitar. That will be fun. I bet the kids will love it, completely forgetting Tyson's fear.

As we sat and listened to the pastor's welcome, the boys were quiet. Then, as the pastor welcomed the preschoolers to come up to the front of the sanctuary to join him for some singing, he picked up the guitar. And I thought my baby had been seriously injured.

As timid preschoolers, including Trevin, were leaving their mommies and heading to the front, Tyson was crying a panicked cry like I had never heard from him before. It was as if we had left him at the mercy of some wild beast and he had nothing to do but scream. He was terrified. And it was the guitar.

I promptly exited the sanctuary so not to disturb the already nervous kiddos (and some parents, I'm sure). Each time I tried to step closer into the sanctuary, thinking Tyson was calm enough, he'd cry again. His breathing was fast, his body was shaking.

Poor Trevin, he was so brave to be up front by himself and I could see the slight look of panic as he searched the crowd of parents and I was nowhere nearby. When he saw me in the back, I could see the breath of relief.

Tyson eventually calmed down (a little) when the guitar found it's home on the stand and the chapel festivities were through.

Looks like Tyson and I may be skipping chapel this year...