Hello, I'm a 48 year old, and worked as a timber furniture maker for 30-ish years. Last year I had a stroke, and lost my job. Also can’t do physical work anymore. This has rocked me obviously, and not too cheerful about entry level work now I have to change drastically in my skills.

I lost the work in Nov last year, and today it was really hard. Just very depressing. I thought I will go and get some groceries to cook for my partner, and try to stay busy rather than thinking negatively.

Anyway, I did the shopping, was paying for my $25 groceries using a gift card and it didn’t work! This was confusing me with pins and stuff, and my new stroked brain sort of seizes up sometimes, which happened today, so couldn’t use the gift card. The staff helped, but couldn’t figure it for me, so was trying to call my partner, who’s phone isn’t working properly, and couldn’t get through.

Was getting stressed and really feeling like a loser, when a complete stranger said “you look like you need some help.” He then paid for me!!!

This certainly brought a tear and smile to my face. It was probably the best thing someone has done for me since the stroke. When I was trying to thank him, he just wouldn’t hear it. He just said "No worries."

He had no idea who I was, and when I explained why I was such a mess, just listened and said he was glad he helped.

Thank you stranger, and good things still happen here in Melbourne sometimes.