Mum-of-three, Tiffany Spradling was a very relatable sight over the the past few weeks.
Doing some last minute shopping, with three kids on tow just days away from Christmas, she barely noticed a store employee approach the family.
The man introduced himself as Devon, and immediately started talking to her son, Gabe.
He asked Gabe how he got his scars, which were from a diesel tank explosion.
What Devon said next would change his life forever:
"He started by telling him what a handsome young man he was." Tiffany told Love What Matters. "And that no matter what, everything was gonna be okay.
Not to ever let anyone make him feel like he is any less just because he looks different. Not to ever get down or depressed because he looks different, but to look in the mirror everyday and be thankful that he is alive."
He continued to tell Gabe that having scars will not stop him from achieving what he wants to in life:
"Every dream, every goal, anything he has ever wanted is and always will be just as attainable as it ever was. Not to let his scars keep him from anything. Always keep going. No matter what anyone ever says or does, just keep his head up and everything would always be okay."
The stranger wanted to share this wisdom with Tiffany's son, as he too was left scarred from an accident as a child:
"He told us he wanted to tell Gabe this, because when he was only one year old, he was ran over by a car and left with scars as well, and he wished someone would have told him what he was telling Gabe."
Tiffany said that even though she thanked him there and then, she did not realise the magnitude of the gift he had given Gabe until she was at home that evening:
"I wish I had told him what a BLESSING it was to meet him. My anxiety had me wound about as tight as it possibly could without snapping, and i haven’t exactly been in the Christmas spirit."
It had been a difficult year for Tiffany's family, and she admitted that the holidays hadn't been an easy time for them either:
"I’ve been stressed over money, our family situations, trying to find time to do all that has to be done, balancing work and spending time with the kids, my purpose, buying gifts, etc.
I’ve been overwhelmed and a bit bitter to be honest."
But meeting Devon, gave her a gift that money could never buy, peace of mind:
"These are the kinds of gifts we should be worried about giving to one another, and not just at Christmas.
I am so thankful for a person like this to teach my son such an important lesson just because. He didn't know us. He didn't have to say anything to us"
Tiffany continued to say that she hopes that Gabe will carry Devon's wise words with him for the rest of his life:
"I hope as he continues to grow, he will always remember what this precious man told him tonight."
By sharing her story online, she has made many others rethink the festive season:
So inspiring!
