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TOGETHER Never in our lifetimes have we been so apart yet so together. We are separated, not only by 6 feet and social distancing, but also by ideology, economics and perspective. We are also together. When filling out unemployment forms and re-examining family budgets, we know millions of Americans are in the same situation. When isolating at home, we know millions of others are, too. We acknowledge it in our social media posts and even in sidewalk chalk art. We’re finding ways to maintain our sanity and our connections. We’re even finding ways to help others. On the following pages, SW FL Parent & Child highlights these efforts.
Cherrie and Scott Hamilton, of Fort Myers, have been sheltering at home with 12 of their kids. “We stay home so our babies stay healthy. Several children in our home are considered medically fragile and catching this virus could cause them detrimental harm. Having adult children during this time is really difficult. We want to bring everyone home from all over and keep them safe. However, for the sake of our littles we cannot do that. This quarantine has changed our lives in so many ways. We are spending every day/all day together as a family. We are doing school at home as our days allow, being happy and healthy are our priority. ... We are playing outside more, bingeing (food and TV shows), and generally enjoying being together,” Cherrie says.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » MAY 2020 » 41
