For many years, the nightmare haunted Trish Treece.

Even to this day, she carries the psychological scars.

But the Auburn woman learned how to face her fears and overcome the guilt, shame and trauma of being the victim of such a horrific childhood crime. Eventually, she learned how to confront the pain, soothe the sorrow and become the stronger, more self-assured person she is today.

“I’m more like myself, as I might have been, had this not happened,” Treece said. “Whereas before I was always juggling with things inside. The anxieties, the sleeplessness, the pain inside … it was like walking uphill all the time.

“When you do that, you can’t function inside,” she added. “It can be sort of terrifying … The more you run away from (the problems), the bigger they get. I was tired of this chasing me.”

Treece’s pursuer was the unimaginable, violent act committed against her early in life.

She had been walking home from a friend’s house that day when a dog chased her into the woods bordering her neighborhood in eastern Pennsylvania. There, alone, frightened and lost, Treece was abducted, sexually abused and nearly drowned by a stranger.

Treece was 6.

“My mother always told me to not go into the woods,” Treece said. “I was afraid to come home and tell her, so I didn’t.”

Throughout her years, she was able to externalize and keep her shocking secret. She pushed aside the incident until the weight of horror proved too much to bear.

But when Treece was 30, things “started to explode.” She couldn’t ignore the pain any longer.

“When you open the Pandora’s box, I was amazed at the level of pain that was there, and the level of healing that was there also,” Treece said.

Through the help of a solid support team comprised of family, friends and her devoted faith in the Lord, Treece regained her feet.

She soon found peace and answers.

And a suitable role in life.

Today, Treece is a 51-year-old wife, mother of six fully grown boys and the grandmother of nine grandchildren.

She has also become a Christian counselor and, now, a first-time author who poured her experiences into her recently released book.

“Through The Valley” is Treece’s personal story that will give others hope as they struggle through the trials of life.

“I work with a lot of people who suffer from anxiety, depression and low self-esteem,” Treece said. “I hope they take these principles and use them in their own life to experience joy and peace.”

Treece, an active member of her church, didn’t intend for her personal journey to become a book. But now that it is on the printed page, she hopes her story will guide others through their own emotional grief.

The book also has helped bring closure to Treece’s story.

While she still suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, Treece says she’s managing just fine.

Her story is one of restoration, faith and love.

“You learn that you don’t have to be stuck with pain. We don’t have to carry around the pain and unresolved things,” Treece said. “There is healing and the Lord.”

Reach Mark Klaas at 253-833-0218, ext. 5050, or mklaas@reporternewspapers.com.

“Through the Valley” is available in bookstores. To order a copy online, go to www.revivalnationpublishing.com.