Spotlight THE ETHICAL LIFE How an unexpected gift reminded me of what matters most — Richard Kyte Richard Kyte Columnist Dec 20, 2024 Dec 20, 2024 Updated May 5, 2026 0 Prefer us on Google Learn More Facebook Twitter Bluesky WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Is there anything more gratifying than an unexpected gift from a stranger? The answer is “yes,” but we’ll get to that.kAmp 76H 52JD 28@[ 2 7C:6?5 H2D D9@AA:?8 2E 2 =@42= 5@==2C DE@C6[ 3FJ:?8 D>2== :E6>D E@ A=246 :? 8:7E 3@I6D 7@C 49:=5C6?] w6C 49FC49 925 8:G6? 96C 2 563:E 42C5 H:E9 2 S`d_ 2==@H2?46[ 2?5 D96 H6?E E9C@F89 E96 2:D=6D A=24:?8 5@K6?D @7 E@JD 2?5 D49@@= DFAA=:6D :? 96C 42CE[ <66A:?8 2 CF??:?8 2>@F?E :? 96C 9625] (96? D96 8@E E@ E96 4964<@FE[ D96 E@=5 E96 4=6C< E@ DE@A H96? 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E96 D96=7]”k^Am People are also reading… Search warrant says Old Fort woman told deputies she shot man found dead on front porch Former Burke County coach charged with sex crimes against student in Hickory Marion meat processing plant run by local family brings quality meats, serves farmers Police: Marion man fled from officers, was later found stuck on Morganton railroad tracks Marion man charged with assault inflicting serious bodily injury McDowell County Manager Ashley Wooten submits resignation Baptists on Mission dedicates new Marion Rebuild Center at former Camping World complex Environmental association says federal rule change threatens Lake James watershed 5 cabins open in Old Fort as first phase of Grier Village retreat development End of an era: NC DMV eliminates stickers, routine paper registration on Oct. 1. Here's why Old Fort says streetscape project on Catawba Avenue still on schedule McDowell County Safe Baby Court program works to place foster kids in homes quickly Campaign saves Asheville bear 'Dolly' from death. Here's what to know Old Fort woman charged with murder Friday Marion author to publish poetry chapbook focused on Hurricane Helene, renewal kAm“x’== A2J 7@C E96>[” 96 D2:5] |J 7C:6?5 @3;64E65 2E 7:CDE[ 3FE E96 4=6C< H2D :?D:DE6?E] “x H2D @?6 @7 E9@D6 <:5D[” 96 6IA=2:?65] “|J 525 ?6G6C 8@E FD AC6D6?ED 7@C r9C:DE>2D[ 2?5 x 5@?’E 92G6 2?J <:5D @7 >J @H?]”k^AmkAmw6 D42??65 E96 C6DE @7 E96 :E6>D :? E96 42CE[ E96? 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E96 >@G:6 4@>6D D9@CE=J 27E6C v6@C86 q2:=6J AF==D r=2C6?46 @FE @7 2? :4J C:G6C] pD E96J 2C6 5CJ:?8 @77[ r=2C6?46 6IA=2:?D E92E 96 :D 2? 2?86= D6?E E@ D2G6 9:>] v6@C86 :D F?56CDE2?523=J D<6AE:42=] “$2G6 >6Pn” 96 C6DA@?5D] r=2C6?46 6IA=2:?D[ “x <?6H :7 x H6C6 5C@H?:?8[ J@F’5 ECJ E@ D2G6 >6[ 2?5 E92E’D 9@H x D2G65 J@F]”k^Am kAm%96 8:7E r=2C6?46 82G6 E@ v6@C86 H2D 2? @AA@CEF?:EJ E@ 36 FD67F= H96? 96 E9@F89E E96 H@C=5 H@F=5 36 36EE6C @77 H:E9@FE 9:>] {:<6 >2?J @7 FD[ v6@C86 @G6CG2=F65 E96 H@CE9 @7 9:D 4@?EC:3FE:@?D 2?5 F?56CG2=F65 E96 H@CE9 @7 9:D AC6D6?46]k^Am kAmtG6? E9@D6 H9@ 92G6 8C62E ?665D 42? 36 C2:D65 FA 3J 2? @AA@CEF?:EJ E@ 8:G6] xE :D E9C@F89 E96 >FEF2=:EJ @7 3@E9 8:G:?8 2?5 C646:G:?8 E92E H6 6IA6C:6?46 E96 8C246 E92E D9:?6D FA@? 6G6CJ 24E @7 D92C65 <:?5?6DD]k^Am Richard Kyte is director of the D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wis., and co-host of "The Ethical Life" podcast. Richard Kyte is the director of the D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin. His new book, “Finding Your Third Place: Building Happier Communities (and Making Great Friends Along the Way),” is available from Fulcrum Books. He also cohosts “The Ethical Life” podcast. 0 Comments Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Locations Lacrosse Catch the latest in Opinion Get opinion pieces, letters and editorials sent directly to your inbox weekly! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Related to this story Most Popular McDowell County Schools superintendent shares appreciation for principals "To our principals, thank you for the countless hours you give, the way you lead, and, most importantly, the way you care about our children." America spends too much on K-12 schools | Erika Sanzi The U.S. spends too much on K–12 education. 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