her biggest challenge

by Sharon Santoni

Marsha at Splenderosa has invited us this month to write about our biggest challenge … well you know me … not so happy talking about myself, so I have dreamt up a little tale.   As always I beg your indulgence!

Happiness and success had come easily to Simone.   She had sailed through school, popular and with good grades.  At College she emerged with flying colours; in her first job she quickly moved up the career ladder and was poised to take on important responsibilities.
Then of course Jack came along.  He had swept her off her feet with his dashing looks, his caring nature and his strong broad shoulders.  They had dreamt together and achieved those dreams.  The house, the friends, the children.  Jack’s career was as  steady as it was brilliant, and he provided generously for his family.
So what was she doing now?
Why had she come to this point in her life when she needed a challenge?
She could feel the pressure that she was creating for herself.  At night she sometimes woke with a start and turned things over in her mind.  Surely it would be easier to just continue in her role as mother to their three  teenagers; wife to Jack and accomplished hostess to their friends.
Why was she rocking her boat?
She first talked about the project to her Mom.  Fully expecting her to dismiss the idea of creating an art gallery as foolish.  But no, her dear  mother had simply poured them both a coffee and sat down to listen to the whole project – from one end to the other in the tiniest detail, without interruption.

 

And when, once everything was explained, Simone had asked “Mom, am I crazy?”, she just smiled and said “Honey, I think this is the wisest thing you could do.  In a few years time your children will have left home and you will feel at a loose end.  Remember the position you were in when you still worked?  All those decisions you took single-handedly!  I’ve always been amazed at the way you slipped into the role of stay-at-home mother and wife.  With drive and personality like yours, anything is possible.  You just get out there and do it…. and you know what?…”
Simone turned around, wondering what Nancy was going to add ” … you know honey, if you don’t seize this opportunity, if you don’t run with this idea, I believe you’ll regret it for years to come”.

The initial steps were relatively easy.  Finding  a space for the gallery; checking out the different sites in town; working out the website .. all that was fun.

The first surprise came at a fancy dinner.    Simone found herself seated next to a sharp looking man called Ted, they enjoyed a few minutes of casual chit-chat, then the conversation moved on to art, and it would have been the perfect moment for Simone to mention her ideas for her gallery.  But instead of simply stating the facts, she found herself fluffing her lines.  It was so difficult to find the self- confidence to talk about her project.

Ted was a gentleman, and was patient as she tried to explain what she hoped to achieve.  He watched her, silent for a while, then said quite seriously  “You know, you’ve got a great idea here, but if you want to pull this off, you have to believe you can do it”.

“You have to believe you can do it”, those words stuck in her mind and kept her awake that night.  Where had her self confidence gone to?

What was it about the fact that she had been at home for the past fifteen years, that suddenly meant she didn’t dare stick up for herself?  Why would a working situation be more difficult or more challenging than raising her children and managing her home?

The following week she had planned to reach out to an artist whose work she loved, Luke Siro.   She rewrote the email to him twenty times, and when his answer came quite simply “yes, sure, when can we meet?!” she nearly fell off her chair.

They arranged to have a coffee in town, and for him to bring pictures of his work.

It took her an hour to dress:  not too smart, not too young; not too old; not too serious Aaargh!  In the end she pulled on a pair of white stretch jeans, a belt from her daughter’s wardrobe, with a blue shirt and a pair of tan flats.  Sunglasses holding her hair back, nails freshly painted … she looked cute, and yet mature …..

Luke turned up on time.  Slightly older than she had expected, he carried a portfolio, and was wearing a sexy pair of jeans splattered with paint.  The meeting didn’t get off to the best start when she knocked over her cup of coffee and dropped her phone.  Luke looked at her smiling “What are you so worried about?    You have a great spot for a gallery, you know where you want to take it, and you have any number of artists like me who are glad of the attention!  Let’s just relax…”

Their meeting was the first of a series to start off nervously and end so positively.  But as the weeks went by, Simone’s confidence grew and she  was able to tick down her list :

bank – on board;
lease – signed;
artists – sourced;
publicity – designed;
renovations – completed;
and finally …..
opening cocktail party – invites sent!
The great day arrived.  Her name was up on the façade of the gallery in bold blue letters.  She had thirty canvases hung on the walls, and a dozen sculptures carefully positioned.  She had sent out invites to everyone she knew, she was wearing a new LBD and high heels, and she hardly saw the evening go by as she floated around the show, having her photo taken, answering questions, smiling … happy.
And that evening as Jack drove her home, and her children rode behind, he reached over and squeezed her knee “We’re all so proud of you Simone.  We could see it wasn’t easy, although we didn’t know why.  And I think that even though you have achieved so much in your life, and shined  in every way, .. well, I think this was your greatest challenge … and that you rose to it!”
That night, she fell asleep happy.  Sure of herself, secure in the idea that she had indeed risen to her challenge, and that in the months ahead she’d come across many other hurdles and challenges … but now she knew  she’d be able to handle them too.
 

If you would like to read about some of the amazing challenges faced by other bloggers then pop over to Splenderosa

 

42 comments

house hunt pro April 2, 2013 - 4:38 pm

Woah! My dream house.

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Blondie's Journal April 2, 2013 - 5:15 pm

Sharon, this was a fantastic read. Please, turn it into a novel! So many women my age, with our children needing us less and less (or so they think!), the fantasy of carving out a life based on a dream for ourselves is so exciting. I think Simone's apprehension and nervousness is something we could all identify with.

So, let's hear Part 2!!

XO,
Jane

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Anonymous April 2, 2013 - 6:18 pm

Oh Sharon, this is a dream of a fairy tale, if it were so easy!? Dorka from the overflud Plain in Hungary http://www.dorottyaudvar.co.hu

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PURA VIDA April 2, 2013 - 6:26 pm

you should write a novel!

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vicki archer April 2, 2013 - 6:27 pm

Sharon… fiction is your calling…:) Fabulous… xv

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Inside a British Mum's Kitchen April 2, 2013 - 6:30 pm

How exciting! When is the next installment?
Mary

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Barbara Lilian April 2, 2013 - 7:15 pm

Always enjoy reading your tales. Why do we as mothers loose our confidence ? It takes confidence to raise a family and overcome all the hurdles we have to jump.
You have a book somewhere inside you, waiting to be put down on paper !

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Lorrie April 2, 2013 - 7:18 pm

Wonderful writing, as always. And a message for all of us who are dreaming dreams of fulfillment and satisfaction after raising a family.

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D. A. Wolf April 2, 2013 - 7:48 pm

What a delicious read! And the best possible kind of challenge!

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Bonnie April 2, 2013 - 10:59 pm

Well, I must wonder how much is fiction and what is autobiographical? Just my thought. Love the story.

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Michele @ The Nest at Finch Rest April 2, 2013 - 11:00 pm

Whoo hoo to Simone!!!

She's the perfect woman!

MY challenge?

To unclutter, it is ruining my life.

I am overwhelmed and can't seem to get past it, I think it is namely because I have the most horrible home office. I absolutely must redo it. And soon.

Pray for me! I wonder if Simone would fly over here to help me????????????

Smiles.

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sharon santoni at my french country home April 2, 2013 - 11:33 pm

You are very generous Jane, but I really don't think I have the talent to write a novel …. but I do like to think that you identified with Simone

thank you

Sharond

xx

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sharon santoni at my french country home April 2, 2013 - 11:33 pm

But that's the fun of dreaming Dorka, you only get to see the easy bits!

Sharon
xx

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sharon santoni at my french country home April 2, 2013 - 11:34 pm

you are very kind, but I can only see the flaws in these little bits of fiction I put up now and again. I certainly don't have the skills required to write a full length novel

xx

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sharon santoni at my french country home April 2, 2013 - 11:35 pm

thank you Vicki, loved your piece today

xx

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sharon santoni at my french country home April 2, 2013 - 11:35 pm

Probably never Mary, unless you'd like to write it for us? 🙂

xx

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sharon santoni at my french country home April 2, 2013 - 11:37 pm

You are so right Barbara, there is no reason at all for mothers to lose their self confidence, but I know that it happens. The first time I found myself, as a consultant, in an office situation when my children were teenagers, I thought I'd die of fear!

xx

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sharon santoni at my french country home April 2, 2013 - 11:38 pm

We have to strive for those dreams Lorrie

xx

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sharon santoni at my french country home April 2, 2013 - 11:38 pm

Thank you! I loved your piece today, beautifully written

xx

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sharon santoni at my french country home April 2, 2013 - 11:39 pm

hmmmm…. trying not to think about that one, although I don't have an art gallery!

xx

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sharon santoni at my french country home April 2, 2013 - 11:39 pm

Please don't talk to me about clutter! I make good resolutions but rarely stick to them!

xx

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Mademoiselle Margarita April 3, 2013 - 12:46 am

Very nice 🙂

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Splenderosa April 3, 2013 - 6:25 am

Simone sounds like someone I would love to know. But the person in this story I admire so much is Sharon Santoni, authoress, storyteller, spell-binder. You scooped all of us!! Sending love, cookiebelle

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Anonymous April 3, 2013 - 7:48 am

Isn't Simone fortunate enough to finance such a challenge, most challenges are of maintaining your sanity in a job that has long hours and little reward to make ends meet

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sharon santoni at my french country home April 3, 2013 - 8:22 am

You are always way too generous with your compliments Marsha, thank you for organising our monthly parties!

xx

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sharon santoni at my french country home April 3, 2013 - 8:22 am

You are so right about that! But one of the great things about fiction is allowing yourself a little fantasy time, to dream and to pretend!

xx

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Coty Farquhar April 3, 2013 - 9:21 am

Oh my Sharon, fabulous!
I agree with Vicki, can you please send me your autograph before you publish your first novel.

You never cease to amaze me with your posts Sharon,
xx
xxxx Coty

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PamLuvsPink April 3, 2013 - 9:32 am

Hi Sharon!!

Maybe that's what your following bloggers should do as a challenge…Write a short story, continuation of The Story Of
Simone.

Pam
xox

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sharon santoni at my french country home April 3, 2013 - 9:51 am

Please Coty! This is just a bit of fun … 🙂

speak later?!

xx

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sharon santoni at my french country home April 3, 2013 - 9:55 am

Now I would love that Pam – you go first!

xx

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sharon santoni at my french country home April 3, 2013 - 9:56 am

🙂

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MyFrenchLinenarmoire francoise April 3, 2013 - 1:02 pm

we all know why we love your blog so much !…always innovating & interesting like a real artist !..
my latest challenge is to master the technology which runs with the blogging, i am still travelling blind and once i think i have mastered one section, suddently it all goes mad and uncontrolable, being now a "senior" does not seem to work on my side there

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LPC April 3, 2013 - 4:08 pm

A sweet way to take on the writing assignment this month:).

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sharon santoni at my french country home April 3, 2013 - 4:12 pm

thank you francoise … mastering the technology is half the fun! I remember tearing my hair out when I first started to use blogger, then suddenly it all drops into place , you'll see!

xx

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sharon santoni at my french country home April 3, 2013 - 4:12 pm

thank you!
xx

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Anonymous April 3, 2013 - 6:13 pm

Hi Sharon,

I'm a homeschooling mother of 5, with one of them having many health issues, so I don't have a lot of free time.

Years ago in college I wanted to take art, but as a non-art major, I was intimidated to compete with the art majors (plus I didn't want to draw nudes!). I recently started taking a short course in drawing with my oldest daughter, and I can't tell you how fun and liberating it has been (but still no nudes). I've signed up for another course with three of my kids.

I did a quick little sketch of your house last night just for fun. Can I put it in Simone's art gallery? LOL.

ML

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peggy braswell April 3, 2013 - 10:21 pm

Simone seems like someone I would love to know. Great story line. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com

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Colleen Taylor April 4, 2013 - 1:47 am

Loved the story Sharon as everyone here did. I'd love to be in Simone's art gallery as well. Perhaps a painting of your adorable dogs Sharon is in order? Let me know if Simone would like a painting.

My challenges, I'd love to comment about them, however, they are a bit too private to say here.

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sharon santoni at my french country home April 4, 2013 - 10:06 am

Hi ML

Well done! I cannot imagine the work involved in home-schooling five children! So glad you found the time to take your art course, and yes of course Simone would love to have your work on her walls! Just send it over!

xx

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sharon santoni at my french country home April 4, 2013 - 10:06 am

I bet you know a Simone already Peggy, just look around you …

xx

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sharon santoni at my french country home April 4, 2013 - 10:07 am

Hi Colleen, quite right to keep your challenges private, … I'll ask Simone about your dog paintings!

xx

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