Letter 9: Seeking Symbols

When we embrace the journey

Happy Wednesday! We are so excited to introduce our next contributor, Renae Rodriguez!

What an immense pleasure it is to write this introduction for my former student, Renae. My last few years of teaching included a college-level British and American Literature course for seniors. As a whole, these seniors were strong, driven, and successful, but there are always a few whose impressions are indelible. Renae’s gracious heart, quiet fortitude, and sympathetic insight set her apart from her peers. It has been so fun to see Renae continue to blossom in her college career, especially while navigating the uncertainty of being a full-time student in 2020. Renae’s wisdom beyond her years is apparent here, as she has a true talent for finding the symbolic and literal good within our difficult circumstances. I know you’ll enjoy her perspective. — Emily

It’s been a worry of mine for a while now that what I’ve been taught in college through Zoom is not going to be retained in my mind for long. As I’m sure many of you know or have experienced, online life and learning are not ideal. I’ve now spent nearly a year and a half of my college career in this format, and yet it all feels like a blur. I can distinctly remember full details of days being on campus, but if you asked me general questions about some of my online classes it would take a bit more effort to recount.

However, there is one lesson I learned this past semester, albeit non-academic, that I believe will stick with me for a lifetime. 

My view on UT campus as I walked out of my Friday class signaling the weekend. This picture was taken a week before I left for extended Spring Break, which turned into permanent online classes. 

Enter: trash orchid. The class flower (instead of class pet), in my Ancient Greece class of all courses, that actualized the lyrics from one of my favorite John Denver songs, “Rhymes and Reasons.” 

“It is here we must begin 

To seek the wisdom of the children 

And the graceful way of flowers in the wind” 

My professor typically started class with some announcements and a life update, usually about his newborn daughter we adored. However, one day his life update included his discovery of a perfectly healthy orchid simply sitting in the trash on campus. I can’t remember where he said he was or, more importantly, why exactly he was looking in the trash. Nonetheless, his heroic rescue of the orchid was noted and applauded by the class. He decided he would keep the plant in his office to take care of it, and as the semester progressed, the plant notoriously became known as “trash orchid.” Our professor now began class with a trash orchid update, forgoing a life update. Trash orchid thrived after its rescue, having about six blooms in total. 

As my semester came to an end, I found myself thinking about the plant after class one day. I wondered why we were still referring to it as “trash orchid.” Was it not now simply just a beautiful orchid in full bloom? But then I thought, How much more astounding is it to note this plant’s journey? Time and time again, nature has proven to be a clear symbol and example of resilience. Emphasizing where this plant has come from makes it even more remarkable to see where it is now. 

Not the actual trash orchid, but one I have now that serves as a reminder of what complex message this simple plant taught me. 

The same lesson applies to us. Recognizing all of the obstacles each one of us has overcome makes it even more astonishing to see where we are now. This is especially true with the incredibly dark, and at some points hopeless, year we had in 2020.

Oftentimes, it’s easy to want to ignore or forget the past, especially when it is not a particularly fond time. Personally, it can be hard to think back on one painful year of high school as I dealt with some major anxiety issues that hindered much of what I should have been able to enjoy.

However, my encouragement to others (and to myself) is to start embracing where you have come from. The fact that you are here today is proof that you have triumphed over your past struggles and darkest times—bask in that victory and success. 

Along with this, it is also important to remember that this applies to everyone with whom we come into contact. We often do not know people’s past experiences and battles. It is merely one’s outward appearance that we see and therefore, we rarely know what others have had to overcome. 

As my life progresses, I understand just how important it is to seek out the symbols and stories of hope and triumph around us. This semester that symbol happened to be an abandoned flower that bloomed gloriously after being lifted out of the darkness. While “trash orchid” may not exactly be the most flattering of names, in a different light, it can seem like a badge of honor. This plant, just like us, has emerged victorious from its dark place. Maybe it’s time for us to be our own version of a trash orchid and embrace what we’ve made it through as we blossom into the future. 

“Now I’ve been smiling lately, 

Thinking about the good things to come 

And I believe it could be, 

Something good has begun” 

“Peace Train” Yusuf/Cat Stevens

My 5 Favorites

• If I was told I had an hour and three minutes left to live, I’d choose to listen to the album, The Battle at Garden’s Gate by Greta Van Fleet, in full. This album is as epic and dark as it is hopeful. With themes of adventure, love, war, sorrow, and peace, I feel like there’s a song for everyone—and it should be played as loud as possible :) 

• It was already mentioned in TLC’s “Book Girl Summer” newsletter, but the novel A Place for Us is close to my heart. Fatima Farheen Mirza’s first novel is a triumph and is my favorite book I’ve read this year. This book highlights the beauty and tragedy that can be found in everyday life, especially when that life is under the confines of tradition (both social and religious). 

• I’m no artist, but painting outside while listening to music has done wonders for my stress levels. A quick trip to your local craft store for some brushes, a cheap value pack of basic acrylic paints, and some mini canvases and you’re all set! Paint any vision that comes to mind and remember Bob Ross’ mantra that there are no mistakes, only “happy little accidents.” 

• I recently bought Klean Kanteen metal reusable straws from Target and I’m in love! They’re dishwasher safe and are another small step to being more environmentally friendly and reducing plastic waste. 

• From the Phluid Project, this perfume, along with the rest of their products, is gender-neutral and smells divine! A fragrance perfect for summer. 

With gratitude,

Renae Rodriguez

P.S. What is a song that has helped you get through a difficult time? Share it with us in the comments!