Submitted by Raven Williams My Phoebe is a person who helped me see that the process is worth going through and nothing is personal.
When I returned to Tuskegee University to complete my degree, I was well into my 30s. It was very difficult to go from an independent working adult, dealing with adult situations, to being a student on a college campus with 18- to 20-something-year-old young adults. There were days I wanted to quit -- and not because the work was too difficult -- but my daily needs were being challenged simply by being in a college town. However, on multiple occasions, My Phoebe, Nneka Carter, was there to remind me that this is not personal.
I was two months into my semester at Tuskegee University, and the power company decided it was not important to get my power turned on anytime soon. I had been persistent in my measures to follow up with the power company every other day. And, two weeks later, I still had no power. (Mind you, the first month I had no money to get the power connected to my apartment. Yet I was never without. God is good!) I called my friend Nneka and informed her that I would be packing my belongings and going back to Dayton, OH in 72 hours because I could not take it anymore. I had to sit in my truck to study for classes.
Every morning I would take cold showers, and I could not cook any food or buy cold cuts to store and eat later. Nneka talked me off the ledge. She told me to purchase a cooler and a few bags of ice and that would take care of my refrigerator needs. She also told me to purchase a membership to the campus gym so that I could take a hot shower every morning and evening as well as continue my workout.
Lastly, she advised me to study during the day and stop wasting time worrying about other things and get my work done. I remember saying, “I should not have to do all of that. I am a grown woman.” Nneka listened and said, “This is your dream; are you going to let the power company take it away? You have received great grades on the quizzes and assignments you already turned in thus far.” I told her that I would not allow the power company to hinder my plans, and I did the things that she recommended. It was another two weeks before I received power, but I survived!
I know this sounds crazy to most people, but I was 33 years old, engaged to be married, and had a former life that had every convenience. Nneka was my saving grace and encouraged me not to give up on my dream of getting my college degree, even though I encountered many stumbling blocks on the journey. Today, I am a college grad, and my degree has provided me with a good life and the confidence and courage to start my own company.
Thank you, Nneka, for encouraging me and pushing me to move forward in spite of the challenges I faced. You were certainly there for me at the right place and time, and I am eternally grateful.
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