LARSEN: Farewell and ‘Take care of this place’

Idaho is definitely in my blood. My roots run deep with both sets of grandparents settling here in the early 1900s from the Dakotas and Italy. I know the nooks and crannies well and because I’ve been here so long I’ve lived some of the folklore people talk about today. I met my husband here and our children were blessed to be raised here. I’ve been educated in Idaho and was fortunate to represent the state as an educator.

Leaving Idaho is something we hadn’t planned, but sometimes things just don’t go as planned. So, throughout the last year we’ve embarked upon a Farewell Idaho tour where we’ve revisited places and people that have special meaning to us. This last week we’ve said goodbye to friends and family with many heartfelt tears. Their love and support has been immeasurable.

We will miss the mountains, lakes and streams, familiar morning smells, beautiful sunsets, and the many people who have blessed our lives. We will miss the simple life of Idaho gone by. So, I wish the best for those remaining in our lifelong home and hope that changes yet to come will honor the past and cherish the way of life which made living here a blessing.

For those of you who have touched my life and I haven’t been able to say goodbye, I wish you all well and hope to meet again in the future. Please take care of this place. The fight will be a worthy one.

NANCY LARSEN

Coeur d’Alene