Those of you that really know me, know that I have always placed this job first and thought that was the way it should be. In the past several years nearing the end of my career, I have realized that family is the most important thing in any person’s life. Then sometimes it takes a real kick in the gut to make you realize the job is just a job and family is forever. Well, that kick came recently in the form of a cancer diagnosis for our five-year-old granddaughter Kinsley. My “Peanut” is that little girl that is always someone else’s child or the unknown child in the St. Jude’s stories on television. She began emergency treatment within 24 hours of her Leukemia diagnosis. She was forced to discontinue her Kindergarten year of school due to the treatment process and her mother has had to leave employment to care for her fulltime for the unforeseen future. I truly see how lucky she is to live in a small town like Ponca, NE where the community has rallied around her and her family. Recently Sheriff Tom Decker from Dixon County told me how Ponca is a special town that really takes care of their own. Kinsley and her parents Josh and Samantha (Unger) Bennett face every parent’s worst nightmare and I wish to say how thankful we are for the prayers and support given to them and Kinsley. I’m so thankful to my staff that has really stepped forward as I have focused on helping my family in any way I can. Also many thanks to the support from Stanton County citizens who have been very generous. Please continue to pray for Kinsley and her family in this long process of healing. In the near future you will see a bald Sheriff as Kinsley has asked her “Papa” to shave his head as she loses her hair quickly from the weekly chemotherapy treatments in Sioux Falls. It won’t help my looks, but it is what you do for loved ones. Times like this make you count your blessings, and you realize how much you have to be thankful for. May God Bless Us All!!!
