The Aftermath: Creating a Life After the Storm

By Clarice Witherspoon

This book is to remind you that raging storms come in different aspects, bearing distractions with life alterations. No matter how settled family structures appear to be, just know it’s all in your response. The response you give to your storm determines your aftermath process. Your response once your life’s storm hits your landfall—your household—can create more destruction than what the storm originally released. Therefore, I’ve penned out my story with the hope of assisting the readers rebuild from the aftermath of life’s ruins created from the storm of life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Dec 10, 2018
• ISBN: 9781984568526

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Copyright © 2018 by Clarice Witherspoon.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2018913966

ISBN:       Hardcover       978-1-9845-6854-0

                 Softcover         978-1-9845-6853-3

                 eBook               978-1-9845-6852-6

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 11/30/2018

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CONTENTS

Dedication

Acknowledgements

Foreword

Introduction

The Aftermath

Bracing For The Storm

Warning! Alert! Caution!

Life Storms!

Creating Life After The Storm

Standing During The Storm

Is Life Like A Box Of Chocolates?

Finding Shelter In The Midst Of The Storm

The Turning Point

A Stormy Season

Take Heed And Do Not Ignore Emergency Weather Alert!

Finding Myself In The Storm

No Place To Hide

The Break Down

A Still Small Voice

The Breakdown Continues

Turn Around Don’t Drown

Overtaken By Storm Life

An Extended Hand

The After-Math

Crossing Over

The Release

Self- Evaluation

The Empty Nest

The Secret Place

DEDICATION

This book is dedicated in loving memory of my mom Dorothy Jean Hardin-Austin (December 12, 1930 through June 30, 2011). The memory of her faith and trust in God, her unconditional love shown towards me, the amazing wisdom taught through her life journey, and the example of a strong life lived. RIP Mom; gone by never forgotten.

In the dedication of this book, I cannot forget those who walked alongside me step by step, the ones that stood by me when I was still, you who encouraged me not to give up. Thanks to those who pushed me to the edge and jumped with me, my counselors that listened and counseled me soundly, and everyone who prayed with me from start to finish on my journey. Thank you.

Special dedication to my children and grandchildren near and far, I love each of you to life. Barbara Ned (Mom), I genuinely thank God for your motherly love towards me and taking me in as your only baby girl. This book also is dedicated to my loving husband and best-friend, Leon Witherspoon Sr. Honey, thank you for encouraging me to soar like never before. Your understanding and seeing the best in me, as well as your endless love and support through it all. WE DID IT!

Ending this dedication remembering the late Elder Joseph K. West, as I reflect over our life of twenty-nine years, I will never forget his strength shown always to stand, the courage he had to fight through, and the would never to give up. R.I.P. West, I Salute You! (December 13, 1957 through November 14, 2014) To God Be The Glory…Even In This.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

All The Glory Belongs To You Lord!

For this, because I bow my knees unto the Father my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, of whom granted me the strength and courage to pen my story during this season. Father, your love and kindness have shown unto me carried me through and didn’t allow me to drown in my most in-depth sea valley experience. I’m living this moment because I’ve been restored better than before by the grace and mercies of God, and I am forever grateful.

Thank You Jesus, for you’ve done the incredible for me. When you looked beyond all my issues and loved me despite me, that is, what’s incredible to me. Now I’m free, no longer bound. Yes, I’m free to sow unto others that which, has been sown unto me and that’s loving others incredibly.

According to 1 Peter 5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever for all the things He has done.

FOREWORD

It is an honor and a privilege to write this foreword for my dear friend, Clarice Witherspoon. I met Clarice about three and a half years ago. Her husband, Leon Witherspoon was my son, Landon Nelson’s music teacher at the time. I knew there was something different about Clarice from our first introduction. I remember extending my hand to shake hers, and she told me that, I would like a hug. When we became Facebook friends, I realized