Pam Barksdale

          When I felt myself needing a challenge and pressed “send” on my sommelier school registration, I smiled and breathed that sigh of relief that only comes when we transcend the inhibitions that separate us from pursuing our dreams.  But even after that satisfying sigh, I faced the inevitable question – “Why.”  Two distinct personalities live in this head of mine: the pragmatist and the dreamer.  While the dreamer reveled in her momentary victory, the pragmatist pushed her way front and center and started asking questions:  “What am I hoping to gain from this experience”; “How will this be worth my time and interest”; “Am I naive or just plain crazy”?

            At this point, I felt so proud of the dreamer.  She pushed right back and, refusing to be daunted, defended her choices.  First, while I am not at this point interested in pursuing a career buying or serving wine in a commercial environment, I love great wine, I love great food and I love the way those two things work in tandem to foster relationship.  I love to learn and intend to stave off the potentiality of age related dementia by keeping my 40 something mind engaged for the duration.  I’m passionate about both Italy and the small winery my husband and I started there five years ago.  I want to learn to convey my passion about our wine, and its unique characteristics, adroitly.  And lastly, I want to put my palate to the test.  I want to see how far I can go with this.  I want to see if I have what it takes to excel.  I want to know myself, my gifts and limitations better.  And what can the pragmatist say to that?

       It’s been blistering hot in Houston, Texas.  We’ve endured a record shattering 45 days of 100+ degree temperatures this summer.  The humidity and sweat have put me in the mood for a new challenge -an air conditioned INDOOR challenge.  I want a challenge that will sate my soul experientially: a challenge that will help me forget that the second of our three kids just left for college and life is changing, with or without my consent.  I’m choosing to set my soccer mom, recovering lawyer and semi-professional do-gooder hats aside and pursue a personal dream.  I have decided to become a sommelier.

        I’ve been gathering information about sommelier programs for quite some time.  But I’ve chosen the beginning level International Sommelier Guild program which is offered through the continuing education department at the University of Houston.  I’m proud of myself for stepping out, excited about the adventure of it all and a little scared about re-entering the classroom (will I feel OLD?) and wondering if I can still ace the academics after using my brain in such a different way these years as a full time Mom.  As I wonder what it will all be like, I’m glad I finally decided to do this and am excited about the possibilities.  Since all news these days seems like bad news, feeling excited about the possibilities is more refreshing to me than a cool drenching rain falling on our parched Texas grass.