The "what should be" never did exist, but people keep trying to live up to it. There is no "what should be" there is only what is. - Lenny Bruce
Good Day All!
I had no warning when my life-partner/business-partner of 30 years left me for a woman 20 years my junior, and as though he hadn’t caused me enough pain, he also took the practice I had started and shared with him.
It was a terrible shock to me and to all of our friends and family. I didn't know what to do. I made a personal transformation almost immediately. I had to do something different, so I became a platinum blonde and shopped compulsively. My wardrobe grew to ridiculous proportions.
As time goes by, I am seeing everything in quite another light. I realize that, as shocking and as painful as it was, it also gave me a serendipitous occasion to re-evaluate my dreams, and the chance to have new beginnings. I am thankful for the strong women who raised me (my mother and my grandmother) and who have shown me what it is to have courage under pressure. With my mother's help, and with memories and stories from my grandmother, along with new stories from supportive friends, I am now able to make the many necessary changes that my new life demands.
Before he left, I had been looking forward to our retirement, our plans and our dreams of spending at least six months of the year in Italy at my places in Rome and Terracina. Now, I‘m free to plan only for myself.
I have learned that the important thing is what is. You never know where life will take you. You just know where you are now.
I recently rediscovered the poem, The Descent of Innana, (The Goddess of love, fertility, and war) but this time with a new understanding. Now signifying BIRTH - DEATH - REBIRTH. Most of us have experienced this in one way or another, in relationship, friendship, business, career , etc. http://www.mindspring.com/~ysticgryphon/descent.htm
When my partner left I thought he had taken with him the things that made me Me, my optimism, creativity - my many ideas, my curiosity about life, but I am pleased to have discovered that this is not so.
I’ve gone from running my own accounting practice, (a business management firm, mainly handling artists), running an online store selling antiques and vintage jewelry, living in a large apartment, on the upper east side, to living on the lower east side with my two daughters in a much smaller apartment, preparing tax returns from my home office, and selling my personal collection of antiques and vintage jewelry to make ends meet.
My business-woman side just won’t stop. I’ve got some ideas for new business opportunities. My favorite one is, "The Cantina." One of my Italian properties is a 14th Century above-ground wine cellar, and I'm working on developing it into a cultural center with live music, art shows, poetry readings...and I even found a renowned card-reader who will divine our futures....
I'm hoping you join in this blog. I’d love to read your stories of change, your troubles, happy beginnings, happy endings........your transformation! .......help me, and others, by sharing your experiences -
Thank you for reading. Please come back
La realta' e' cio' che e', non cio' che "dovrebbe" essere _ Lenny Bruce
6 comments:
Franca,
You are a strong woman and I am so touched by your story.
He took a lot from you, but not your self worth!
Good for you!!
I hope someday we can toast to "La Cantina"!
Lots of Love to you,
XO~Maria
Dear Franca,
I feel your blog is a reflection you as a butterfly wiggling your way out of your chrysalis. Your changes due to circumstances are painful but, you will continue to be the success you always have been. I look forward to the reading your blog in the future.
Love always,
Carol
Ciao Franca, ho letto quello che hai scritto e voglio dirti che sei una grande donna. Scrivo in italiano perché ho paura di non esprimermi bene in inglese. Ti auguro che la tua vità sia sempre più felice. Tieni nel tuo cuore tutte le cose belle che hai vissuto insieme al tuo uomo e cancella le cose brutte, tanto non servono a nulla. Tutti ci trasformiamo nella vita e a volte capita che in una coppia due persone cambino nel tempo in maniera diversa. E comunque in Italia c'è un proverbio che dice "Chi non mi ama non mi merita". Probabilmente c'è nel tuo futuro anche un nuovo grande amore che saprà meritarti, chissà.... Un bacione. Laura
Dear Franca, I love your blog. I have always known you as a strong woman and in spite of all that has happened, you still are. Life does take its turns, but our own spirit and will is what propells us and you definitely have what it takes in spirit and will. You have a wonderful family and good friends, so you are blessed. I wish you all good things as you are "reborn." Love, Jeanne
Dear Franca,
You have given a voice to what so many woman are going through.
By reading this blog, woman around the planet, will realize they are not alone,and will add their thoughts to help woman cope with their individual challenges.
Regards
Heloise
Auguri per il blog, Franca, mi piace che lo hai fatto anche in italiano. Maybe if it goes well it could turn into a book. I can't wait to visit "la cantina"!
abraccio,
Lili
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