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!
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 :
If you would like to read about some of the amazing challenges faced by other bloggers then pop over to Splenderosa
42 comments
Woah! My dream house.
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
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
you should write a novel!
Sharon… fiction is your calling…:) Fabulous… xv
How exciting! When is the next installment?
Mary
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 !
Wonderful writing, as always. And a message for all of us who are dreaming dreams of fulfillment and satisfaction after raising a family.
What a delicious read! And the best possible kind of challenge!
Well, I must wonder how much is fiction and what is autobiographical? Just my thought. Love the story.
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.
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
But that's the fun of dreaming Dorka, you only get to see the easy bits!
Sharon
xx
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
thank you Vicki, loved your piece today
xx
Probably never Mary, unless you'd like to write it for us? 🙂
xx
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
We have to strive for those dreams Lorrie
xx
Thank you! I loved your piece today, beautifully written
xx
hmmmm…. trying not to think about that one, although I don't have an art gallery!
xx
Please don't talk to me about clutter! I make good resolutions but rarely stick to them!
xx
Very nice 🙂
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
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
You are always way too generous with your compliments Marsha, thank you for organising our monthly parties!
xx
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
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
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
Please Coty! This is just a bit of fun … 🙂
speak later?!
xx
Now I would love that Pam – you go first!
xx
🙂
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
A sweet way to take on the writing assignment this month:).
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
thank you!
xx
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
Simone seems like someone I would love to know. Great story line. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com
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.
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
I bet you know a Simone already Peggy, just look around you …
xx
Hi Colleen, quite right to keep your challenges private, … I'll ask Simone about your dog paintings!
xx
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