Sometimes, the simplest things mean the most.
Visiting Dundee for the funeral of his mother Phyllis earlier this week, Alan High and his French wife Patricia received an unexpected gift he says sums up the kindness of the city’s people and turned a sad occasion into something they will cherish forever.
As they prepared to head home to France after the funeral, Patricia remembered how her mother-in-law would prepare haggis especially for her on visits to Scotland.
Alan explained: “We decided to buy some as we thought my mum would have liked that we continue the tradition.
“That day our credit card failed to work in Marks & Spencer in the Murraygate.
“Reluctantly, we asked the cashier to forget about it and we left without the haggis.”
However, that is when the couple experienced a heartwarming act of kindness.
“As we stood outside the shop looking for bus tickets a young lady appeared saying ‘This is for you!’ and handed us the haggis,” Alan added.
“Her mother had bought it for us.”
Alan said the mother and daughter could not have known how much their simple gesture would mean to him and his wife amid their grief.
“They must have taken pity on us,” he said. “They certainly had no idea the significance this purchase meant for us.
“This mother and daughter will remain in our hearts forever.”
The kind act happened on Monday at around 5.30pm, and Alan hopes the mystery mother and daughter — who were driving an Audi — might come forward so he can thank them again.
Alan is one of six children born to Phyllis and Douglas. He left Dundee in 1990 and now lives in Cannes.
He said: “My mum was born in Dundee, as were all her children. She loved Dundee and would always say ‘East, west, hame’s best’ and we’d all laugh.
“They were great times among great people. A huge thank you dear people of Dundee.”
He added: “We and all the family would like to thank sister Joan for being such a wonderful help to Phyllis and Douglas in their last years at Broughty Ferry.”
* Do you know the mystery shoppers? Please phone 01382 575130 or email news@thecourier.co.uk
