Welcome to The Keepsake Box

Content created by: Chandora Warren.

Narrated by: Chandora Warren.

Produced by: Symone Devereaux Entertainment

Music provided by: Epidemic Sound

*Also published in book form on Amazon*

Grab a seat and join me for a rise and fall of epic proportions.

Shelonda's story is one that will be familiar to many. Trapped in an abusive marriage, she wonders how she has allowed her life to spiral so far out of control. Fresh on the heels of her husband's latest attack, Shelonda starts to recount the details of her life….in an attempt to better understand how her situation came to be. What made her so broken that she accepts abuse at the hands of someone who is supposed to love her? Only the Beginning follows the process of Shelonda systematically accumulating the things that have filled her emotional keepsake box—the very things that have contributed to her being a victim. This is the beginning of Shelonda's quest to find the answers that will assist her in disposing of her emotional keepsake box. But will the answers come too late?

THIS is the beginning, and weirdly enough, the end. It's a normal day for Shelonda. She's preparing breakfast for her husband, and displaying the epitome of perfection. But Shelonda is sitting on a secret--a multitude of them, actually. Her life is in shambles. And when her husband, once again, shows who he REALLY is, Shelonda is forced to confront the lie that she has portrayed her life to be. In seeing who he is, she has to see herself as well.

Now in full reflection mode, Shelonda goes back to some of her earliest memories. Being raised by a single mother and a single grandmother in the 80's, Shelonda is in the "sit down" era of life. She's subtly being taught that there's "shame" attached to body development. Simultaneously, her family and peers are letting her know that she's not the preferred shade of brown. Very early on, Shelonda is learning to stay out of the way because.... she feels ugly.

Shelonda has only known a life with her mother and grandmother. And while it has been....problematic in some areas, she has found comfort in the familiarity of it all. But during her 7th grade year of school, Shelonda's mother decides to move them in with her boyfriend--a decision that Shelonda certainly finds no comfort in. Making matters worse, Shelonda is confronted with the understanding that the situation is not only changing her life, but it's changing all of the other situations around her.

And the changes just keep on coming. Shelonda is already dealing with her mother's relationship, and a sudden move that she is less than enthusiastic about. But things become bigger than mere "discomfort" when she realizes that Ron will be allowed to become her disciplinarian. That, coupled with the fact that she is being punished for expressing discomfort, is the beginning of a problematic situation. And now, she HAS to call him....Dad.

Although not comfortably, Shelonda has settled into a routine. Realizing that her mom is struggling quite a bit with the pregnancy, she takes on more responsibility around the house. Shelonda is cooking, cleaning, and quickly becoming overwhelmed--which has no effect on anyone else in the household. Meanwhile, Ron becomes more active in the church.

Welcome to the very first Sidebar With Chinney! Sidebar with Chinney are special bonus episodes that have been created to discuss content related to the Keepsake Box. In these episodes, I'll be giving insight into the content, and maybe even having some special guests! As always, thanks for helping me to create the world that I want to see!

After Ron learns that he has been given the full-time preaching position at the church, he tells Shelonda that a celebration is in order. But his idea of a celebration leads to more questions than answers, and starts to change the way he is viewed by Shelonda. Also, Shelonda starts to realize that she is harboring some resentment towards Mom.