Bromsgrove mourns.

I haven't written a post about the tragic death of a Bromsgrove teenager for a specific reason.

Like much of Bromsgrove, I knew the boy personally. Not as the teenager he eventually became, but as a younger child, when he was friends with my eldest son.

As children sometimes do, they eventually went their own ways - but I still saw him at school assemblies and ceremonies.

Whilst I'm aware that my grief at his passing cannot possibly compare to those who knew him better, nor even touch the mountain of overwhelming loss and devastation felt by his parents and sister, it has been a hard thing to come to terms with.

I have found myself in tears over the past two weeks, in turn hoping and praying that he would be found safe and well, before sinking into despair that he wouldn't.

And even as a writer, I'm aware that my words don't do justice to the grief of this whole community, who rooted for his safe return even, against overwhelming odds.

We are parents too - most of us facing the need to let our own children truly stretch their wings for the first time.

And it's terrifying.

I look at my own 18 year old and I remember with horror the risks I took, when I too thought that I was invincible.

You teens who are reading this, please, please, please look after yourselves. The world is a dangerous place and whilst we want you to have fun and explore, inside we are terrified.

We can't bring this beautiful young man back - but I hope we can prevent future tragedies.

Shine bright Tom Jones. You are a guiding light. x