She couldn’t believe what had happened. The hunter had taken her out into the forest and raised his knife as her back was turned. Only the shadow on the rock told her how close he was to her. When she turned, the light glinted off the cold steel. She raised her arms and inhaled sharply. The hunter dropped the knife and then dropped to his knees. His hands covered his face as he cried. Through the sobs, she could hear him explain to her that her mother wanted her dead, but he couldn’t do it. Instead, he left her frightened and alone with one word: Run!

And run she did: Without thought, without stopping, and without consideration. The trees seemed to grab at her cloak. Logs became snapping crocodiles, and her imagination played all sorts of tricks as the threatening eyes gathered around her in the dark of the woods. She was lost, and she was sure she would be killed. She collapsed to the ground just as the light was coming up. The forest animals gathered around her: cute little bunnies, squirrels, raccoons, and even a skunk and tortoise. When she looked up after a good cry, she realized she was out of the darkness and in the forest with friends.

These friends led her to a house in the woods where they got to work and made things better, even if not all of the people living there agreed with the results afterwards. Then she fell asleep after an emotional night and a hard day of work.

Right now, we are all like Snow White. Many of us can’t believe what is happening, even though it’s been happening since January. Some of us have gone through the denial and are now running through the metaphoric woods – not sure where we’re going just knowing we need to get away. Some of us are lost and sure we are going to die.

Wherever you are in your journey, it’s okay. Be there, have a good cry, and find your calm. When you’re ready, contact your friends and family and figure out how to move forward together, even if you have to do it physically separated. You have the Internet, use it to make connection and to lift yourself and others up. You’ll find the place you’re supposed to be, and then you’ll be able to roll up your sleeves and go to work. No one’s promising there’ll be gooseberry pie at the end, but when the work is done, you’ll be able to rest knowing you lived through your experience and have come out better for it because of those people who supported you and whom you supported.