The AfterMath: Life After

By Benita Spinner

AfterMath: “Something that results or follows from an event, especially one of a disastrous or unfortunate nature.” (Dictionary.com)

“The AfterMath: Life After” is chocked full of personal tell-all stories that will captivate you, even if you have never had a direct experience with the situations presented. There is a colorful backstory that led to each woman’s “aftermath”, facing issues related to abortion, loss, identity crisis, divorce, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, co-parenting, rape, molestation, young motherhood, and addiction.

In life, we all go through trials and tribulations. These raw, jaw-dropping stories of perseverance and strength are sure to take you on an emotional journey. However, by the end, you will embrace your own strength, courage, and better understanding of not only your own personal battles but also those of the “next woman”.

Come. Enter the personal space of 10 women—Benita Spinner, Kimora Lee, Latoyia Kirton, Marcella D. Moore, Mechel Glass, Mishia Bee, Nakia Walters, Natanya Braswell, Shavonne Bowman, and Tatiauna Morgan—who are brave enough to boldly tell their truths and encourage you to face “The AfterMath” of your situations.

Their storms no longer define them and they pray you will be emboldened to no longer have the storms of life define you!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pearly Gates Publishing LLC
• Release date: Apr 27, 2018
• ISBN: 9781947445192

Book preview

The AfterMath

LIFE AFTER

Compiled By:

Benita Spinner

Cover Design By:

Eleve Business

www.elevebusiness.com

770.615.0666

Pearly Gates Publishing, LLC, Houston, Texas

The AfterMath:

Life After

Copyright © 2018

Benita Spinner

All Rights Reserved.

No portion of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any electronic system, or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise) without written permission from the publisher. Brief quotations may be used in literary reviews.

Library of Congress Control Number: 2018939193

Some names and identifying details have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals.

Scripture references marked AMP, ESV, NIV, and NLT are used with permission from Zondervan via Biblegateway.com. Public domain.

For information and bulk ordering, contact:

Pearly Gates Publishing, LLC

Angela Edwards, CEO

P.O. Box 62287

Houston, TX 77205

[e-mail]

Published by Pearly Gates Publishing, LLC at Smashwords.

This book is available in print at most online retailers.

Acknowledgements

One of the most important things a person can do is say Thank you! Those two words can go a long way and be heard at a time when needed the most.

I would like to thank God for giving me the strength and courage to tell my story and for giving other extraordinary women a platform to tell their truths. As I was in my storm, I could not understand the purpose of all my pain and suffering. However, as I compiled The AfterMath: Life After and saw how my pain and healing could help impact someone else, I began to see my purpose come clearer as my journey continues. I thank you, GOD!

"So, do not fear, for I am with you;

do not be dismayed, for I am your God."

Isaiah 41:10, NIV

I would like to acknowledge my wonderful husband, June Spinner, for loving me when I make it difficult to even like me and for never leaving me throughout this process. I love you dearly! Thank you for being my rock and protecting me through this process.

This book almost did not happen. I would like to thank Marcella D. Moore for being the voice from GOD to push me forward. I will always be grateful for your words and assistance in helping me move forward.

To the absolute BEST co-authors I could have asked for:

Mechel Glass

Marcella D. Moore

Mishia Bee

Shavonne Bowman

Kimora Lee

Natanya Braswell

Tatiauna Morgan

Nakia Walters

Latoyia Kirton

I am eternally grateful for the courage and belief in me to share your stories. You are all beautiful inside and out. This book is bigger than us, along with the reasons behind why we decided to be a part of this collaboration. It is about those who need our stories to say that it is okay to move forward and it is a process. I know that this process was harder for some than others. I want to say THANK YOU for pushing forward.

Thank you to all the readers of this anthology, The AfterMath: Life After. We truly hope you can benefit from one of these amazing stories.

To my mother, Ella Mae Giddings-DeVone: You are my rock! I love you dearly and am grateful for our journey.

To my father, Herman Lee Jenkins: Thank you for giving me the love I needed, even when I did not appreciate what you were doing. It takes a real man to raise another man’s child and take all the blows that come as a result. One thing you never did was give up on loving me. Sorry it took me four years to realize that!

To Jimmie DeVone, my father: Thank you for helping me put myself back together after a long history of hurt. You came into my adult life at a time when I needed a father-figure the most. Thank you for all you have done for me over the years.

To my sisters, Christina and Colleen Jenkins: Thank you for sticking with me. I know I did not make things easy when we were growing up. I apologize and acknowledge my part in making things more challenging. I love you both dearly.

To my sons, Jovan and Willie: I love you both with all my heart. I will always be here for you both through thick and thin.

We would like to thank The Makeup of Hair, Mika Coram, for assisting us with our photoshoot. As well, we extend appreciation to John Hudson, II of Mastermind Photography for an amazing shoot.

To my mother-in-law, Carolyn Lipscomb: Thank you for all the knowledge you have provided me with over the years. Your influence has helped mold me into a better person. I love you to pieces.

Last but not least, thank you to all my family and friends who have supported me throughout this journey. I love you all with all my heart.

Preface

But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.

Exodus 9:16, NIV

When GOD calls, you have to answer. My past and the trauma that came with it was a part of my life I never really discussed with anyone. God put a young lady in my life by the name of Kimora Lee Watkins who changed my life. She gave me the courage and strength to tell my story. I wanted to be a walking inspiration for her, providing her a safe place to open up about whatever she needed to free herself from. In order for me to tell her it was safe and okay to free her pain, I had to show by example.

I harbored my pain with anger, food, and bad decisions. The time came in my life when I wanted to begin the process of letting go of the baggage I carried around with me for years. Writing them for others to benefit seemed like the only logical thing to do to let go by helping someone not feel alone in their journey. Reading others’ stories can be the saving grace for one of our readers.

My main mission is to provide outlets for women to be great and comfortable in their own skin. I wanted to provide others the platform and freedom to express themselves. There are so many women who want to be able to tell their stories but are without a platform to express themselves.

I want to be God’s vessel in providing that safe space to write. I hope you enjoy the stories you are about to read. These stories were written with tears of joy for you to experience. Helping some of the authors get through the process was amazing! I will never take for granted them writing their emotional, heartfelt stories. It was truly an experience!

Introduction

"Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.

So, let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing."

James 1:2-4, NLT

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