If you haven’t yet, take the time to read the letter to the editor on the facing page written by the parents of a college son who found himself a stranded motorist on a cold night in Batesville.

It’s not unlike several letters we have received over the years, praising the whole city for a kindness that someone among us has rendered. The kind act or thoughtful deed usually comes from someone on the front line of public service — a cashier at a convenience store, waitresses in a restaurant (and in this case, restaurant customers as well), police officers.

Often the act is something minor in itself, but it is rendered so spontaneously and with such genuine intent that it leaves a big impression on the recipient. It’s the treatment that one would like to receive if the situation were reversed.

For all of the effort that goes into promoting the city and the county by elected officials, the Panola Partnership, this newspaper or anybody else, nothing can surpass the goodwill that it is generated when our own citizens just do what appears to come so naturally to them — treat people like they would want to be treated.

That is a community asset that we cannot buy and we canít legislate. It comes from the inside. It’s who we are.

We appreciate the people who work those front lines of public service in our community and make all of us look good. And we are glad for people whose public expression of appreciation reminds us of how important those people are.