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In 1993, I left what was then the family home. My son was three years old and as I walked away I have an abiding memory of him sitting on my daughter’s shoulder. It was heartbreaking but necessary as I was in a toxic relationship with their mother. It couldn’t be fixed.
Fast forward to today, many dramas later and my son built me a media centre to occupy a piece of what I hope will be our forever home. See pic above.
The build took two phases: components built at his workshop and then fit at our house. The initial thought was a three day build but which turned into a four day job with some fettling along the way.
The outcome is amazeballs. In fact beyond amazeballs. In my opinion. Which in this case is the only one that counts.
As a custom piece of furniture, there is a precision required that baffles me as someone who uses their head and not their hands. For me a hammer is something I hit as I hammer my thumb.
Watching my son assemble this piece of art was humbling. On one hand he worked his ass off to get it done and yet on the other hand was so focused on detail it seemed painful.
It was the longest time we’ve spent together in many years. For me there was a sense of connection that’s hard to explain. On the one hand I didn’t want to get in his way as he worked. On the other hand I wanted to connect. Looking back I think I got the balance as good as I could give that I was, for so long, an absent father.
And then there was the clean up. I am so used to seeing workmen do their thing yet leave piles of crap that to see my son clean all his mess away was…astonishing. He told me that he doesn’t understand why workmen don’t do this as routine.
Reflecting on this experience I know my son will be super successful and command premium prices for the work he does. It isn’t just the work or finish but the service he intrinsically understands as the key to making customers happy. As a child of the 90s, it’s a learning experience for me as someone who grew up with different values.
You might ask if that job was done at ‘mate’s rates’ and yes, I suspect there was an element of discount to market price but I made sure he was paid well for a product that delights me and which showcases a talent that deserved better. If you want similar then hit @joehowlett up. He’s a good fella and far easier to deal with than me. He doesn’t have my acerbic ‘touch.’ Thankfully.
I would say that you might think but as my son will tell you, I don’t do free lunches or bullshit but I do a mean BBQ lunch!! For readers, you decide. But for today, I’m super freaking proud. Anyone with a different view - come fight me. Anyone with nuance on this topic, let’s talk.