Image: Sunday Skeleton – Lucas Grogan
When Joey was born his dad looked at him and thought this boy is going to grow into a man of substance.
He didn’t mean his son would become the Prime Minister, or a captain of industry but rather that his son would grow and develop into an all round good and focused human being.
As a small boy they encouraged him to play in the dirt, they let him fall over, watched as he got himself up, dusted himself down and tried again. They gave him toys to play with and were fascinated by his interest in trucks and cars. They introduced him to animals and laughed at the conversations he had with the family dog.
Like all children Joey liked to experiment, push boundaries and explore the world around him. As he aged and passed from primary school to high school like all teenagers he went places he shouldn’t have gone, he made sometimes not the best of friends, he found like most kids substances he was warned against a temptation.
But his parents were always beside him.
Joey being a smart boy, found learning came easily to him and his parents sent him to the best schools they could afford.
By the time his high school days came to an end and Joey had discovered the final year of high school a combination girls, parties, sport and school.
University opened another world to him. The social life was hectic and on a number of occasions his father rescued his son from parties where Joey’s sorry self would be gathered in the wee small hours, taken home and made to sleep it off before sitting down with him to talk about the night before and the substance he may have abused this time.
Joey’s parents decided their son needed to learn about life.
They sent him out to find a job, made him pay board, placed restrictions around his use of the family car and encouraged him to adopt a more positive attitude to his studies.
It was hard going and they often wondered whether or not they were doing the right thing by their son.
As the years passed they saw their son grow in maturity. Such was the change that by the time Joey completed his University he had his own car, considerable savings and was planning overseas travel.
On graduation day came the news that he had been offered a job with an engineering company. It would mean leaving home and living inter-state.
Around the kitchen table that night they discussed this substantial change in their lives.
The parents knew they would miss their son, Joey knew he would miss them.
At the nights end after plans had been chewed over Joey said: “ I remember when I went to Uni you said: ‘whatever you do always be a man of substance, someone people will respect.’ I think I’m ready to be that man.”
Written for: https://mindlovemiserysmenagerie.wordpress.com/2015/02/19/dreamweaver-prompt-substance/
Morpethroad 
I’m sure that’s the desire of all parents and by extension, all grandparents. It brings great satisfaction.
Thanks Lyn, yes you are right.
I enjoyed this, michael. I love happy endings!
Thanks Mandy for stopping by, I appreciate your visit.
I like the use of the word “substance.” Good story to go with a good prompt.
Thank you so much I look forward to seeing your prompt next week.
Lovely words. It’s always wonderful when kids acknowledge and appreciate the parents values and efforts.
Thank you Ruth I appreciate you stopping by and your thoughtful and wise comments.
Beautiful story. Wish it happened more often. Wouldn’t it be a grand world?
I’ll work on this prompt and be back later.
Great Debi look forward to seeing what you come up with. And thank you for that lovely comment.
I was hoping for a happy ending – this is so often not the casein his situation. But you came up trumps and so did he!
Thanks so much Keith.
This is great — mid-story I was starting to wonder whether he’d make it or not — but there was such huge relief in reading that — not only did he make it — but he grew into the man his parents hoped he’d be. A great read —- and a great start to the Tale Weaver Prompt. 😀
Thank you so much Jen. In a way the story is a reflection on each of my sons, Joey is a grandson I looked after the other day for the first time and thankfully we got along just fine.
What a lovely story, Michael…in fact the story itself has “substance” and I could not help but find my head bobbing thinking your sons have probably turned out just like this. Your “real” self is often reflected in so many of your words. I didn’t think I could write to this prompt but I am getting warmed up to it now:) Only one day off so I will be picky on which prompts I choose today.
Oh please be more than warmed up Oliana, be dripping with inspiration. Thank you so much for your beautiful comment.
I am writing it now:)
Wonderful I look forward to reading it.
Such an uplifting story Michael .. it’s never easy to be a parent and the parents you’ve described her are the best sort … bravo on a great write!
Thank you so much Georgia. This came about after my first time looking after my 18month gson Joey. He was an impressive little man.
Your grandson was your muse? That’s a great thought!