Act of kindness lifts spirits of Minnesota mother of son with autism

CHASKA, Minn. (KMSP) - A small act of kindness can go a long way.

A Minnesota mom is applauding the kindness of a stranger who left a surprise note on her van at the Target parking lot in Chaska, Minn.

Lisa Quale told Fox 9 she was out shopping Saturday with her son who has autism. Quale says she was having a "tough day" with her son. 

When she returned to her van, she found a note taped to it, saying "From one AUSM mom to another". AUSM stands for Autism Society of Minnesota.

Inside the note was a $5 Target gift card with the following message: "Please treat yourself to a cup of coffee (or tea, pop, chocolate, whatever makes you smile!) - on me!"

Quale says the stranger's gesture moved her greatly.

"To the autism mommy who taped this on my van at Target in Chaska, I can’t thank you enough," Quale told Fox 9. "It’s been a tough, tough day with my son and aggression and this just lifted my spirits, and reminded me everything is going to be alright. I truly adore this woman, the little things mean the most."