During this trying time. A note from Stephanie.

Friends, I want you to know first and foremost that I am here for you. For you all. I know that with the incessant coverage on TV it can be overwhelming at times. I know that all that is being asked of us during this time is a huge sacrifice. I know this isn't how you saw your spring break/your vacation/your March/your birthday/your kid's birthday/your whatever event this is affecting. I feel you. I really do. Please take this time to show your kids how to roll with the punches. How to take time and color. How to break out the games and play. How to laugh when things seem impossible. They're learning a lot from this situation and from you. You have a wonderful opportunity to teach them so much they couldn't possibly learn from school.

I also want to remind you that you're not alone. This is a very isolating event. We're all cut off from each other and it begins to feel really small when we're not out in the world interacting with our community. We are all still here. We're next to you in our homes. We're standing beside you virtually. We see you. If you wake up and feel like this is all a lot and you just cant get your head around it--that's OK. Your day will go on, life will go on, and you're no worse for the wear if you decide to just take a bit to really feel the gravity of today. Don't feel like you have to do all the things or be all the things right now. If all you can manage is to peel open the Pop Tart package and show your kids how you burnt your fingers on that thing as it pops up out of the toaster, then you did your parental duty for the day. They're alive. They're fed. And you're OK.

As a mom to 4 grown boys I know that the parenting gig isn't for the faint of heart. I know that your worry will grow and that this time will be a challenge. My heart is with you. With each of you. I love this community we have here and I know that it'll withstand this and anything else thrown at it. I know that when were all able to go about our previously scheduled lives that we'll look to each other and have a deeper appreciation of the community and the support we have built-in just by living here.

I guess what I'm trying to say is be gentle with yourself. Love yourself, your family and your neighbors. Love your community, love Caldwell, love Idaho and these United States. Stand strong, friend, and know you're not alone. You have all of us standing in solidarity with you.