When my younger son was about 20 he was unemployed, idle and a great source of anxiety to his distracted parents. At the time I was making regular visits to Czechoslovakia and I decided that I would take James on a trip in 1991. I thought that letting him see how people were struggling to survive and progress might inspire him to do something.
It did open his eyes a bit but, driving back across Europe, it was clear to me that there was no real change. We stopped for the night at Hanover - only to find that it was the Fair Week and virtually every room for miles around had been taken. We eventually found a place with just one room which we had to share. After dinner we were approached by the only other English person in the room.
This middle aged chap asked if he could join us for coffee and we had a bit of small talk. Then he asked James how old he was and what he did. Jim said "nothing". "Well," replied our new friend, "it is about time you got off your butt and found a job; the world doesn't owe you a living." Such sentiments had been expressed by his mother and me so many times that I began to take evasive action for the usual vitriolic response - but, to my surprise Jim said nothing and went on listening. After about half an hour, I went off to bed. Next day, the chap had left before us and James and I made our way through Holland to the ferry. Jim said that he had stayed up for hours talking to the stranger and found what he had had to say most interesting.
That trip was a turning point in James's life. When he got home he made enquiries about an access course, went to a university and got a degree. Now, aged 30, he runs his own business.
I often wish that I could thank that stranger; he achieved more in an evening than the whole family had in five years. If you believe in Angels - that salesman on duty in Hanover certainly fits the specification.
