Mom Gets Anonymous Note After Son With Autism Has a Public Meltdown

A little bit of understanding can go a long way.

Lauren Copp Nordberg, from Bainbridge Island, Washington, was having lunch with her son, who has autism, when the stress of a big day got to be too much for him and he had a meltdown. However, instead of just stares and judgement from other patrons at the restaurant, Nordberg got something so much better — a free meal and a nice note.

The Nordberg’s post read:

Our Day Part 2: Lunch Date
I should have known better than to take him out for lunch after a dentist appointment, but he was so excited for pancakes and I promised, so there was no turning back. He remembered he forgot something at home that he wanted, and within seconds he was in a full on autistic meltdown. We had just ordered our food. After several minutes of stares, I took him outside until our food came so he could have his moment without me getting all the stares. Thankfully, he calmed down when he saw food, ate the food, but then amped right back up again. When I asked the owner, Cyndi Moody, for our receipt, she presented me with this. Someone else had paid our bill. There is good in the world and this mama is thankful for the kindness of strangers.

Nordberg posted the note, which said, “Have a great day! You are doing a wonderful job. God bless. From a mother who knows,” to Facebook on Monday, January 18.