A WOMAN has explained how Ireland rugby legend Brian O'Driscoll raised her mum's spirits with a simple, kind gesture.
Writing on Twitter, Christine Wilson explained how her mum was struggling with her bag while boarding a plane back to Ireland from Britain.
It was her mother's first trip to see friends and family in Britain since 'the love of her life' had passed away from cancer and coming close to his first anniversary, she was understandably emotional.
'Just what she needed'
Missing her 'big strong man' to help with her luggage, O'Driscoll reportedly helped Miss Wilson's mother with her bag, raising her spirits when she needed it most.
Taking to Twitter on Friday, she wrote: "Yesterday, my mother travelled back to Ireland from the UK, where she'd visited friends and family for the first time since she lost the love of her life to cancer.
"His first anniversary is this month. She was tired and emotionally fragile at the airport.
Thread incoming...
Yesterday, my mother travelled back to Ireland from the UK, where she'd visited friends and family for the first time since she lost the love of her life to cancer. His first anniversary is this month. She was tired and emotionally fragile at the airport. (1)— Christine Wilson (@SonicWhirls) September 10, 2021
"Memories of holidays they took came back to her - holidays together that won't happen again.
"She was the struggling with her bags on the steps out to the tarmac, and missing the person she called 'her big strong man' to help her.
"She was getting tearful, and it was then that someone she described as 'a very handsome man' offered to carry her bag, and even took it on to the plane for her.
"She said he was kind and helpful, which was just what she needed at that point.
"So a huge thank you from me to @BrianODriscoll - not only did you help out my lovely mam when she was feeling helpless and lost, but as she's been a huge fan of yours for as long as I remember, to meet you and find you to be kind and generous gave her a real lift. Thank you."
Twitter users were similarly emotional after reading Miss Wilson's story, describing former Ireland and Leinster centre O'Driscoll as a 'national treasure'.
@BrianODriscoll is a national treasure, and must be protected at all costs
— Laura-Anna Loane (should write) #freepalestine (@lauraaloane) September 10, 2021
I was so worried that someone was mean to her and now I’m crying
— Gillian Grant (@gillianmgrant) September 10, 2021
I have a lump in my throat reading this lovely story. Well done @BrianODriscoll on such a kind gesture 👏
— Catherine Mooney🇮🇪 (@CathMooney67) September 10, 2021
We need more stories like this on Twitter, thank you for sharing it ❤️ I hope your Mam is enjoying her trip back to Ireland and is doing ok with her grief. And good man Brian 🥳
— Lisa Marie (@DahliaDubh) September 11, 2021
Not going to lie, that story made me have a little cry!! Good on him! 💓
— Stephanie Baker (@sgrbaker) September 10, 2021
It absolutely cost nothing to be kind. @BrianODriscoll What a lovely thing to do. 🥰
— xxx (@loblady3) September 10, 2021
