Bill Colbran almost shed a tear when he realised a stranger had paid for his mother’s massage after overhearing their story.
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He’d heard about the concept of ‘pay it forward’ but never thought it would happen to his family.
The Lochinvar man had taken his mother Val, who recently had a stroke, to get her nails done and have a massage at Rutherford Shopping Centre on October 21.
It was a special outing to make her feel pampered, and take her mind off the effect that the stroke has had on her life.
While Mr Colburn was telling a staff member about his mother’s stroke, a client who was having a massage in the next room overheard.
When he went to pay for his mother’s massage a staff member handed him a note.
“I could hear your story while I was getting my massage, so good to hear you’re looking after your mum – massage is on me,” the note said.
“It blew us all away,” Mr Colbran said.
“It was the most kindest gesture, I’ve got no words to explain it. “I want to thank her from my mother and father, from me, and my extended family – we are all so grateful for what you have done for us.
“I’d like to send her flowers.”
Mr Colbran said his mother understood what had happened and she was so grateful, and surprised.
Mrs Colbran retained her mobility after the stroke, but has communication problems that can make daily life challenging.
The condition, known as aphasia, restricts her ability to express herself. She has trouble speaking, understanding speech, and it is hard for her to read and write due to brain damage.
He said his mother was fortunate that she did not sustain any physical ailments from the stroke.
“I could see it in her face,” he said.
“She couldn’t believe it, she kept saying no, she was gesturing to me saying I didn’t have to pay.
“You hear about paying it forward, you hear about it happening to other people, but you never expect it to happen to you.
“When I read the note I had to step away and take a moment so I didn’t choke up.”
Mr Colbran works in Queensland in a fly-in, fly-out position and returns home to see his parents as often as he can.
“It’s the second time I’ve seen her since the stroke and I wanted to take her out to get her nails done, and to have a massage, I thought it would make her feel normal,” he said.
“It was a great day out.”
Do you know the identity of the good Samaritan? Write to us at maitland@fairfaxmedia.com.au
Belinda-Jane Davis
Passionate about community news
Passionate about community news
