From Emptiness to Overflow

By Cintoria Franklin

Cintoria Franklin called for emergency help to assist her injured sister. Little did she know, that innocent, well-intentioned call for help would set off a chain of events that would destroy her happy home. The trauma from that day affected Cintoria for years to come leading to a path of depression, dysfunctional relationships, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts. In her debut book, From Emptiness to Overlow, Franklin takes the reader on a journey through the darkest most empty days of her life and shows how God not only strengthened her to escape that life but to reach back and bring others out with her. This book is a testament to the fact that God has a plan and purpose for everyone.

• Language: English
• Publisher: True Vine Publishing Inspire, Empower, Produce
• Release date: Apr 16, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005012410

Book preview

From Emptiness to Overflow

Surviving Domestic Violence, Depression, and Suicide

Copyright 2021 Cintoria Franklin

Published by Cintoria Franklin at Smashwords

Smashwords Edition License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your enjoyment only, then please return to Smashwords.com or your favorite retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

From Emptiness to Overflow:

Surviving Domestic Violence, Depression, and Suicide

By Cintoria Franklin

Published by True Vine Publishing Co.

P.O. Box 22448

Nashville, TN 37202

www.TrueVinePublishing.org

Copyright © 2021 by Cintoria Franklin

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review. Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible, King James Version.

Cover Design by Symetry Media

To place orders for more book or to books the author for speaking engagements, visit www.cintoriafranklin.com

Hope:

The attention of your focus is the focus of your intention.

Charles Franklin, Your Father

Table of Contents

Dedication

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Emptiness

Childhood

Did I Destroy My Family?

The Stepmother

Cut the Pain Away

The Journal

Relationships

No More Cutting

From the Skillet to the Frying Pan

Overcoming Codependency

Loss and Reconciliation

Time for a Change

Pass the Beauty

Overflow

Words of Hope

Dedication

This book is dedicated to the many young girls and women who are suffering from mental illness, domestic violence, depression, and thoughts of suicide. There is a way of escape and a future of joy and beauty. If you are ready for a change and not sure where to turn, contact:

The Domestic Violence Hotline:

https://www.thehotline.org/

Or

Pass the Beauty:

https://passthebeautyinc.com

Acknowledgments

My first journal was given to me when I was 15 years old. I traveled with my journal for over 24 years. Can you believe that? I want to thank God; my Aunt Glenda, for helping to raise me; my siblings, my grandmother, Mattie Cintora, for blessing me with part of your legacy, your name; and most importantly, my children: Layla, Kalece, and Amaris Rose.

You all have played an intricate role in my life. You have been so very patient with my shortcomings and have loved me through the journey of trying to be the best super mom that I can be. I know so many times I have gotten on your nerves. It has been a tough road, but being your mother has been the best gift that God could ever give me. Your smiles and laughter help me. They strengthen me to know that being a single mother isn't an excuse to give up, but to work harder to be an example that you all need to withstand anything. I love you all so much! When moments come into our lives that look tough, I hope that you have learned through me that giving up is not an option.

To Clemmie G from Tennessee; thank you so much for your support throughout my journey. It's amazing how such a little person can have such a powerful voice. I appreciate you and the opportunities to partner with you as a nonprofit. I learned a lot from you. You taught me not to be afraid to speak my truth. Thank you for always offering your ear to me when I needed to talk.

To my best friends: Stephanie Jones for being by my side through it all. Thank you Bridgette Allen for always making me laugh and being in my life since we were kids. To Monica Dalton, Detria Burr, Symone Franklin, Damian McGowen, and Alicia Halliburton. I love you for everything.

Lastly, I dedicate this book to my biological parents, Charles and Mae Francis Franklin, and my spiritual parents, Ellery and Sharon. Momma Sharon, I remember how you grabbed my hand and immediately prayed for me as I cried at that conference. You didn't know me, but you comforted me as if I was your own. For years we have had a mother and daughter bond. You have been in my life ever since then as my spiritual mother. You helped guide me down some rough paths, and I thank God for your leadership.

I love you guys with all of my heart for loving me through some of my most challenging battles. I didn't believe in myself, and you knew and understood the stories behind my pain. You saw greater in me when I didn't even recognize that I had it. When you become better, you do better is what I learned over time. You all taught me to not rush the process, even when you knew my anxiety took over me most of the time. I thank God for you all, and I appreciate your love and kindness. I love you all so much for being my parents, teaching, and showing me what hope is.

Introduction

Every night before I go to sleep, I recite the Lord's Prayer. When I wake up, I start again. In my quiet place, I try to take time to meditate and not focus on anything but positivity. I am very grateful to have a chance to write this book. I promise to you, I did not want to relive this part of my life, but I know there is something significant about having the opportunity to learn from my past, and prepare for a new future. I know that my steps are ordered by God and by serving, which means I get to connect with those who are in need of answers. Some of you all may even question your own existence. I offer myself to you, to connect with some of my past sufferings and moments when I realized why I'm still here.

As a kid, I never really understood why I had to experience certain things in my life until I became an adult. I think the short time I had growing up with my mother and watching her suffer with schizophrenia was very overwhelming for me. I surely didn't choose the battles that I had to face. My life transitioned the way that it had to in order to tell my testimony. Often, I tell people that it took me literally ten years to write this book because I didn't know how to start. It is amazing