The Found Fathers

The Fathers We Can Choose or the Ones Who Choose You

Matthew Seller's father was not a safe man. Had he not been destroyed by poverty and hunger, he might have been different altogether. He was broken, frightened, and exhausted. When he drank, his pain erupted in violence. The cost of his state of mind was paid by his wife and children, behind the latched oak door of their labourer's cottage.

Running Away — A Desperate Decision

One night, under a full moon, Matthew left home. He was just ten years old, with no plan other than the knowledge that anything would be better than his current life. With a coat stolen from his father, boots handed down by his brother, and a sizeable amount of courage, he set off towards Birmingham. On that road to his future, he met three men who were under no obligation to help him at all. They became his found fathers.

Nigel Beck — The Gardener

Nigel offered Matthew a garden to work in and the quiet company of a man who never raised his voice. That was all it took. He taught Matthew that sometimes, in life, you must do things you don’t want to do. Nigel reminded him how to ground himself in the land. Matthew had lost his way in the chaos of his home life. It was Nigel who gently brought him back down to earth. That was the whole gift.

Watching a man move through his days with steady dignity and simple kindness was like seeing colour for the first time. Matthew also observed how Nigel treated his wife, Charlotte, with kindness and respect. They worked as a team, each playing to their strengths. They didn’t need to shout at each other. Nigel and Charlotte showed Matthew what a healthy relationship looked like.

Bert Austin — The Boatman

Bert worked his narrowboat along the canal network around Birmingham. When he looked at Matthew, he saw a boy who could help him fix his lame horse. Bert was a man of few words, but he carefully sized up this young lad and recognised his worth. He realised that Matthew could provide a solution to his delivery problems. There was something in it for him, but he didn’t have to be nice about it—yet he was.

“Are you good for this?” Bert asked. He knew Matthew was capable, and he didn’t make a fuss about it. Instead, he quietly stepped up and taught Matthew how to succeed. He showed him how to tack up Samson, navigate the locks, and tie useful knots—though that nearly ended in disaster! Bert was not strict but fair. He exuded simplicity, behaving honestly and calmly. He demonstrated to Matthew what decency in a working-class man looked like.

Joe Murdoch — A True Found Father

Joe was the man who truly changed Matthew's life and became his most important found father. He taught him his trade, corrected his arrogance, and quietly supported him when he missed his mother. Joe encouraged Matthew to go home and see his dying father before it was too late to make peace. He did this because he understood the pain of losing that chance.

"I owe everything to Joe," Matthew said. Yet, perhaps he owed something to all three of these men.

Not every father is the one who raises you. Some find you later, when you need them most, and love you in exactly the way you need to be loved—even if they don’t know that’s what they’re doing.

The Impact of Found Fathers

Reflecting on the influence of these men, I can't help but feel grateful. They shaped Matthew's life in ways he could never have imagined. Each man offered something unique, a piece of wisdom or a lesson that would resonate through the years.

The Gardener's Wisdom

Nigel’s gentle guidance taught Matthew the importance of patience and respect for the earth. Gardening became a metaphor for life itself. Just as plants need nurturing, so do our dreams and aspirations.

The Boatman's Practical Skills

Bert’s lessons were rooted in practicality. He showed Matthew how to navigate the waters of life, both literally and metaphorically. The skills he learned on the narrowboat became tools for his future, teaching him the value of hard work and determination.

The Engineer's Heart

Joe’s influence was perhaps the most profound. He not only taught Matthew a trade but also instilled in him the importance of compassion and understanding. Joe’s encouragement to reconcile with his father was a lesson in forgiveness that would echo throughout Matthew's life.

Celebrating the Unsung Heroes

So, here’s to the gardeners, the boatmen, the engineers, and the quiet, anxious men who build something solid and hand it on. They may not wear capes or seek recognition, but their impact is immeasurable. They matter far more than they could ever know.

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A Legacy Forged can be found here and is book one of the Seller & Son Trilogy.

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