Can you stand the rain..?

On March 18, 2012 at 2 pm I, Eartha Arcola Terrell, walked across the stage of The Ohio State University to finally grab my $50,000 Bachelors of Art journalism degree. I had gone through earth, wind and fire for four and a half years to get this degree, for all of the obvious reasons, and a few that only close loved ones know about. Of these ambiguous reasons one that would prove to be the greatest catalyst in the breeding of my success was my constant yearning to  paying  homage to my grandmother, Ms Eartha May Arts Terrell, who passed away my freshman year in college in 2008.  I pulled my strength from the many moments we shared together. I was able to stand tall during moments of great adversity not because I am such a genius, but my grandmother’s spirit lay in me, and made it impossible for me to fall short of such high hopes she had set for me.

There were several pivotal moments during this journey where I could feel her sayings Eartha keep going. One moment, in particular, is a day where I was convinced I would withdrawal from my classes, and just take a break. I can still remember pacifying my weakness and justifying my agony.

“Eartha it’s just too hard right now, and you don’t have any money to survive,” I said for at least two days straight.

I had just walked about five miles in treacherous rain with no umbrella, and just a hood and a baseball cap for protection, to try and apply for food stamps from Job and Family Services. I was more than frustrated as my cherry red rain boots slipped in and out of the concrete street and muddy grass (there were no sidewalks) trying to avoid being side swiped by passing cars, who were unsympathetic.

I was on the brink of a mental collapse, and I was certain school was the cause, but in my twelfth hour while sitting on my air mattress I received a call from my mother, and her words were crucial.

“What do you think grandma would say, Eartha,” she questioned me in such a tender, yet firm way. It was the last straw that pushed me over the edge, and I sat helplessly as the knot grew in my throat, and the tears drifted down my face. There was nothing else that needed to be said.

Bills were piling up, my grades were slipping, my health was declining and I wasn’t partaking in the traditional fun- filled college life I believed existed, and witness via Face book all my friends and cousins were experiencing. I was a failure in my eyes. I mean wasn’t every college student going to Mexico and Miami for spring break?

However, though, all the above was  occurring and more  all it took was that  simple question from my mother for my mind to completely readjust itself, and as cliché as it may sound  lyrics from New Edition rang through my mind “sunny days everybody loves them, but tell me baby can you stand the rain,”.

 In that moment of clarity I wiped my tears mounted on my face, smiled took a shower, and continued moving forward.