Embracing Trying Times

Embracing Trying Times

Photo by Kamaji Ogino

"Life is not a bed of roses," this is something I recite almost every day of my life because I know that life can twist into anything, anytime.

I grew up to be someone who gets hurt by anything I put so much effort into bringing to reality that ends up not yielding results.

We were just counting the days for our West African Examination Council (WAEC). I heard so many testimonies about that examination, some good and some bad.

The truth is, most students dread that Examination, and if we had our ways, most of us would not write it but we have no option because it's one of the examinations that qualifies one to get admission into higher institutions.

"I will never write WAEC twice," I kept telling myself each time our teachers mentioned that if we don't study hard, we might fail.

I began burning night candles and studying every night. I deprived myself of a lot of pleasures and I kept pursuing my goals

"Emreal, I know that you love studying but you should at least get some time and rest, you are overworking yourself these days because of this examination," my mom advised while we were watching a sermon on the television on a Sunday evening.

I turned and looked at her with my eyes wide open, "Mom, are you the one saying this?" I asked.

"I thought as much, please ask her again," my Dad replied, crossing his legs on the couch as he ate the fried groundnut set before him with a glass of water.

She laughed, "Oh! You are taking sides with your son right?" She responded.

"no, not all, I am just surprised that you of all people will say that Emreal should be getting some rest from studying, the you that I know would be encouraging him to do even more. Something must be off somewhere," he replied chuckling.

My Mom laughed and said, "You need to see for yourself how your son studies, I wonder if he even sleeps at all."

"Mommy, I sleep whenever I have some free time. You know how difficult this examination is, I just don't want to fail. I am not ready to sit for the examination twice like my sister, Esther. Don't think I don't know that you and Dad weren't happy with her performance," I replied to Mom

Hmm! My dad sighed and said "Emreal, give it your best shot, but don't kill yourself. Your Mom and I will be rooting for you, okay?"

"Thank you, sir, you and Mom always root for me, I am very aware of it, that is why I want to make you both proud," I replied.

"Alright, daddy's boy, enough of the conversation, clear the table, take the plate and glass cup to the kitchen, and tell Esther to start preparing the food, it's almost 2:00 P.m.," my Mom responded as she walked into her room to get some rest.

Days passed and the examination soon started, I read, prayed, and gave it my best shot. Some of the subjects were easy and some were hard but I know I gave it my all.

The day of my last paper was like heaven on earth. I was so happy that I was not going to wear a school uniform again, that thing was so annoying. The school also organized a graduation party for us, it was one of a kind, making my last days in high school memorable.

After everything, I waited for days, then weeks, and gradually Weeks turned into months and the result was not out, curiosity wouldn't let me be. I was used to seeing my results a week after the examination but this time around it took a long period of time. I asked different people about WAEC and they said "Be patient, it will soon be out."

After I almost gave up on it, I logged onto Facebook one morning and I saw a random post, "WAEC result is out, if you haven't checked, do so now."

My heart skipped, "is this some form of jokes or something," I wondered. Quickly, I verified from one of my classmates, it was true.

My heart started beating fast, I stood up from the bed and went straight to the old black box beside my bed, unlocked it, and picked up my scratch card.

"Lord, please let me pass," I kept whispering as I typed the digits in my phone to check my result, and boom!

Mathematics failed, English was credit, Geography was Distinction then the rest failed. I felt like screaming. I lay down quietly for a long period of time feeling very bad.

When my mom came back from her restaurant in the evening, she didn't see me in the sitting room as usual, so she came to my door and knocked when I didn't respond. She opened the door and She was shocked to see me lying helpless on the bed.

"What is the matter?" she inquired as she walked inside and sat on the bed with me.

I stayed quiet for some moment, "Mommy, I failed my examination woefully," I replied as tears dropped from my eyes.

"Come on dear, is that why you are like this?" She asked

"Mommy, after all the sleepless nights, I feel cheated," I replied, still crying.

"Come here my son, if you fail today, it doesn't mean that you won't make it again. It's not the end of the world. Life will not always give us what we want when we want it. Moreover, God has reason for all things. Tomorrow is another day to try again, she responded while holding my left hand.

I felt peace instantly, my mood lit up again. I Stood up and sat down, then said "Thank you, Mom."

"Now go and eat something okay?'' She replied looking at me with a smile on her face.

I stood up from the bed and walked out with joy as if I was not the one troubled some minutes ago.

When my mom broke the news to my Dad, He was troubled because he thought I was going to be sick, but when he entered my room and saw me watching a movie on my phone and laughing he was surprised.

I overheard him telling my mom in the sitting room, "What happened to your son? He seemed not to be bothered about his result, I expected him to be sad or moody but it was like water off a duck's back."

my parents really stood by me during that trying moment, they didn't make me feel like a failure and that made me heal fast.

I rewrote the examination the following year and passed all the subjects but my Agricultural Science was cancelled.

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