When we are little girls and boys we learn what love is and is not by how we are treated from our caregivers and society. The messages we are given might tell us one story, while the actions from our caregivers and society show us another. There is a moment in our lives when suddenly we realize that we are no longer children and our adult lives become a barrage of abusive, physical and verbal attacks, by the reckless hands and voices from others we are supposed to be loved by. We find ourselves in relationships, professional and personal that seem to model the same hurtful feelings we had as children. These “When”, stories honor the hopeful child in each of our adult selves. From this day on may your “When” story begin each chapter with you rewriting your days with new beliefs, beliefs that honor the best and happiest version of the person you were born to become; the hero and heroine of your life. A New Story where you create your Happily Ever After.

“In When, like all of R.A. Leslie's work, we see the power of imagination. She takes trauma and makes it into art that transcends pain and leads others out of their own suffering. A testament to sheer human will, creativity, and transcendent empathy.”
~Deng Ming Dao