If you had been there

If you had been there, you would have thrown your strong arms around him and your eyes would have definitely been wet and shiny.

If you had been there, you would have slapped him on the back and told him how very proud you were.

If you had been there, you would have organised a trip to B&Q to get him tools and trousers and steel-capped boots with a stop for coffee and doughnuts.

If you had been there, you would have dug out all your books on router work and how to angle an architrave and lay a level floor.

And better still you would have shown him.

Guided his hands, rested your hand on his shoulder, told him the names of each saw and screw and piece of timber, answered his many questions and delighted in his joy for his work.

Instead, your friends have generously given him tools and words of wisdom and told him how proud you would have been.

Instead, friends that you never even knew, have taken him under their wing and given him bucketfuls of encouragement.

I’ve done my best with the trousers and the boots.

And he proudly wears your work jacket and talks of starting up your business again.

‘Fyfe and Son’

These are some reflections as Ethan starts his joinery apprenticeship.