A Big Thank You!

"Thank you" - These two words don't seem quite adequate for all my family, neighbors and friends that came together when I was away on my 87-day "vacation."

For those who stepped forward and volunteered to do my chores, walked/made fence, made hay, chopped corn, combined corn and beans (then hauled to town), those who supplied their combines, tractors, grain carts, semis or labor, and those who doctored and worked cattle and hauled them to town or home from pastures - Thank you just doesn't seem like enough.

To all who came and visited during my stay in the hospital (Mercy CR, UIHC, or Compass

Memorial in Marengo) - Thank you! Just think how many of my true stories they had to listen to.

For those who volunteered time hauling me from one hospital to another or one of my many

appointments, and those who shared a big hug with me - Thank you! Sometimes it was hard finding anything to be positive about, so I will forever be grateful for lifting my spirits.

Thank you to all who came by the farm or called my mom to comfort her in her time of need.

The staph infection that spread throughout my body settled in most of my vital organs,

resulting in heart valve replacement surgery … so now I am part pig! My family was told on more than one occasion that I was given less than a 5 percent chance of survival. Thank you for all your answered prayers.

They say a friend in need is a friend indeed. I didn't know that I had that many until a group, without me knowing, put together a fundraiser. Volunteers worked for months putting together donations, silent auctions and a dinner at Dance Mor in Swisher. More than 650 people showed up on a miserable weather night to

support me. Again, thank you! I hope someday my brain and body can be back to 100 percent and knowing how many people prayed - I might just have a chance.

One last thing to leave you with - there are two lines in one of my favorite movies, "It's a

Wonderful Life," that I will always remember. At the end of the movie, Angel Clarence gave

Jimmy Stewart a book and in it he wrote, "No man is a failure who has friends." Then in the closing scene, his brother said, "A man with friends is the richest man in the world." And they were right! It even puts tears in a tough guy's eyes. Thank you one and all. I feel so blessed when I see the sun come up, and that I got to see my Chiefs win another Super Bowl.

You will always have a special place in my heart!

Love you all, Norm Ziskovsky