Private message to Pomona

[alt_sinistra]

Pomona,

It feels terribly odd to do this, but I’m still buried in parchment work, so coming down to you would be tricky. But would you by chance have time to be a listening ear? Or eye, rather?

It might be easier if I don’t have to talk, just write, anyway.

Comments

[alt_pomona]

Yes, that is always the question. What to do.

I do believe that there is more at work in the world than we know.

I'm sorry you've been lumbered with that nonsense on top of everything else, but at least it's useful as distraction.

Just beware of the crash, after.

[alt_sinistra]

I hope so. That there's some larger pattern. (I've always believed so - how do we get the stars above us, doing what they do, if there isn't some pattern to the world? But where it comes from, I've no idea.)

On the crash - do you have any advice? Mum warned me the same, but all she suggested was taking time off, if I could, and that's clearly a problem. (And even the holidays, I'll have YPL meetings, and those are going to be worse than the investigation, in some ways, as I'll have to manage Stint.)

[alt_pomona]

It seems quite inadequate, really, but the best thing I can suggest to you is to make time each day for the things that bring you peace. You might spend some time stroking your Nashira's feathers, if that appeals.

Give yourself plenty of time alone, and don't over-schedule yourself if you can avoid it--though that may not be possible.

Don't treat yourself harshly, in any way.

[alt_sinistra]

Mmm. I'll think on that. I've been just sitting back and listening to more music, as well, and that seems to help, a bit.

As to the over-scheduling - ah, well. That's another point of contention in conversations with Raz.

[alt_pomona]

You are certainly the mistress of your own time and life, but I think there may be something to what he's saying (what I imagine he's saying, in any case).

I have the greatest respect for your drive to help our students, but if nothing else, becoming Head of House taught me that you can only do so much if there's nothing left for you.

Don't be afraid to be a little selfish.

[alt_sinistra]

It's the cost of not doing what I'm doing that I keep coming back to. (Which, really, is the problem with this YPL business. I've no illusions about what might happen to our students with someone else in charge, and that makes it hard to put aside.)

But yes, there is that. And when Raz, and you, and Poppy, and my mother all say the same thing, perhaps it is wise to start listening.

Thank you, though. It helped a great deal to talk this out a bit. I should wrap up, now, though, as I expect Raz in not too long.

[alt_pomona]

And I agree with you, about the cost; only, perhaps there may be ways to make it more manageable?

Think on it, in any case.

And with that I'll wish you a good night, with a hope for better dreams.