DEAR EDITOR: When today we live in a world where it is more commonplace to open your newspaper and read about all the hustle and bustle everyday life has to offer, I thought it would be a very nice change of pace to read about a local resident of LaPlace who has gone above and beyond the call of duty to extend both generosity and kindness to the many of us he touches on a daily basis. I have been shopping at Wal-Mart for years, seeing the same familiar faces each time I enter the store, but it was not until I had my daughter nearly three years ago when I began to really notice that upon each visit, there was one man in particular who would go out of his way to greet us. He always has a smile on his face and a kind word to share. The man I am speaking of is simply known as “Mr. Jimmy the Door Greeter” by those who know and love him. From the day my daughter was born, I have taken her with me when I go to Wal-Mart. Not having her own grandparents around, I feel she has bonded with Mr. Jimmy as a sort of surrogate grandfather. She is always very excited to go and see him. He has taken money out of his pocket to buy her a drink or let her ride the rides in the front of the store. He tells her how special she is and makes her feel like the belle of the ball, so to speak. In short, he spoils her rotten! In making her feel good, he also makes me feel good. In doing so, he never asks for anything in return. I have noticed he is always this kind and not just to my child. He is wonderful to all the children who come to Wal-Mart. He goes above and beyond the call of duty, to say the least. It does my heart good to know my daughter can still see and experience true human kindness on such a personal level. Mr. Jimmy is, by far, the best door-greeter Wal-Mart has ever had, and I am certain will ever have. I feel in life, it is important for us to all feel we have made a difference in other people’s lives and that there are those who do appreciate all the little extra things we do. I would like Mr. Jimmy to know all of his kindness and efforts have not gone unnoticed, and he has most definitely made a difference in all of our lives. It is refreshing to know that here in our own community, we still have a touch of that down-home hospitality of days gone by. I encourage others like myself who feel Mr. Jimmy has done a great job to please take a moment to tell him so, or better yet, to let the people at Wal-Mart know what an asset he is to the store. P ALIGN=RIGHT>Gwen M. Smith LaPlace