Heart-wrenching note from a stranger to a grieving mother

A grieving mother from the United States has shared a heart warming note which proves the impact a kind gesture can have on a complete stranger.

Tricia Belstra was flying home for her son's funeral when a flight attendant noticed her pain.

"This young man came by; I wish I would have gotten his name. He was getting drink requests. I asked for a diet coke and another glass of water. He leaned in and asked if I was okay. I told him I was flying back to bury my son. He said he was so sorry and brought me a can of water, a glass of ice and my diet coke."

As Ms Belstra left the flight, the same flight attendant handed her a napkin.

Not thinking much of it, she carried on - but when she read it, it stopped her in her tracks.

It read:

"In 2004, my family lost my older brother. As traumatic as it still is for me, I can't even pretend to know the pain you feel as a mother. I did, however, watch my mother's grieving process (a process that will never end).

"Firstly, being a mother is about giving birth to new life as a promise to the future. Your mission doesn't end now your son's life is bigger than his death and always will be.

"Go all out finding opportunities to experience joy. Visit family. Get closer to those you've lost touch with, travel.

"This world is full of people who do truly care about you, even if it doesn't feel that way.

"I won't stop thinking about you anytime soon or how you're doing or what you're up to. You'll come out of this a stronger person and I'll be rooting for you the whole time."

Ms Belstra shared the note with Facebook page Love What Matters, hoping her heartfelt thanks would reach the young man.

"When I got to where I was out of the walkway I looked at the napkin he gave me and cried," she said.

"Thank you so much for your kind words from a person that took the time to write this not even knowing me."

Within five hours the post had been liked more than 30,000 times.