She Who Leads Through The Storm (Alpena Ice/Snow Version)

She Who Leads Through The Storm is a symbol of quiet resilience, courage, and steadfast determination. Rather than waiting for the storm to pass, she embodies the strength to move forward through uncertainty, trusting that each step taken is an act of hope.

Her form emerges from swirling winds, reminding us that life's greatest growth often comes not in the absence of adversity, but in learning to navigate it with grace, adaptability, and purpose.

Origin Story

The Alpena Ice/Snow Version was created in honor of the 2025–2026 Snowtray Cohort in Alpena, Michigan.

What began as a typical training journey became a story of extraordinary perseverance. The cohort was originally scheduled to begin in the spring of 2025, but after arriving in Michigan, a historic ice storm made it impossible for me to reach Alpena. While northern Michigan is well prepared for snow, the widespread ice made travel unsafe and impossible. The start of training had to be postponed until September.

When we reunited in March 2026 for the second half of our journey, history seemed to repeat itself. Another historic ice storm, followed by significant snowfall, swept through the region, bringing widespread power outages and countless uncertainties. Like everyone else, I found myself stranded in Alpena, unable to leave as the storm unfolded around us.

Without electricity—and with power returning at different times for different people—we adapted together. We learned by flashlight and generator power when needed, adjusted our plans, and successfully completed Level III despite the circumstances.

Even then, our journey was not yet complete. One final trip in May 2026 was needed to finish the remaining training.

What should have been two trips became four.

As the storms became an unforgettable part of our story, I affectionately named them the Snowtray Cohort. What began as a playful nickname came to represent far more than snow. It became a symbol of resilience, adaptability, determination, and a group of therapists who refused to let obstacles define their journey.

This miniature was created in their honor—and in honor of everyone who has discovered that resilience is not found after the storm has passed, but while walking through it.

In the sandtray, She Who Leads Through The Storm may represent:

• Resilience: continuing forward despite hardship, grief, or life's challenges.
• Courage: choosing to face uncertainty rather than retreat from it.
• Leadership: guiding oneself or others through difficult seasons.
• Perseverance: enduring when the path is unclear or progress feels slow.
• Adaptability: finding new ways forward when the original path is no longer possible.
• Hope: trusting that even in the fiercest winds, there is a way through.
• Empowerment: discovering strength that was present all along.

This miniature may also symbolize feeling overwhelmed, emotionally battered, or uncertain about what lies ahead. It can represent seasons of life when circumstances are beyond one's control, when plans change unexpectedly, or when the weight of responsibility requires pressing forward despite exhaustion.

Like the wind itself, storms can challenge our footing—but they can also reveal our strength. She Who Leads Through The Storm reminds us that resilience is not the absence of fear, struggle, or uncertainty. It is the quiet decision to take the next step, again and again, until the path becomes clear.

She does not wait for the storm to pass. She becomes the one who leads through it.