Well done!
Jun. 12th, 2012 09:41 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
alt_sinistraCongratulations to all four champions, for an exciting evening.
Students - if you have a question for me, the journal's the best way to reach me at the moment, as I'll be juggling marking and some other tasks.
Students - if you have a question for me, the journal's the best way to reach me at the moment, as I'll be juggling marking and some other tasks.
Private message to Narcissa Malfoy
Date: 2012-06-12 01:56 pm (UTC)In the dark hours last night, my thoughts kept circling back to our conversation in April. About how necessary it is to be a support and not a detriment, in particular. Just, some of it’s hard to tell about, till you have a real test, isn’t it?
And I worry that.. well. I’m used to being able to see everything laid out before me, in tidy charts and calculations. Something measureable, anyway. Defined. And then being able to do something with it, make some improvement. (Curse and blessing of my house, that.)
This - Council business, I mean - I only see the faintest edges and hints, and it’s an entirely new set of challenges. More Quidditch than stars, and I’m afraid of the collisions. I keep being worried I’ll make things worse - for Raz, for Harry, for others - by some suggestion. And yet, saying nothing is clearly not helpful either.
Every metaphor I try feels splinched.(And Raz was ... stubborn last night, which I understand, but has its own complications.)
Looking at this, my mind’s clearly running away on its own, and I hesitate to bother you. It's certainly not urgent at this point.
I hope.But if nothing else, perhaps we could talk further once I’m up in New London for the summer, between my various YPL commitments.I admire the balance you’ve found more every day.
Re: Private message to Narcissa Malfoy
Date: 2012-06-12 05:32 pm (UTC)I -
Well. Thank you, for your vote of confidence. Days like yesterday do rather test one's sense of perspective, I admit.
'Stubborn' is as good an adjective for any Councilwizard as I have ever heard, my dear. They are all stoic to a fault. I find it hard to resist the instinct to comfort but there are times when you're quite right, it does more harm than good. It seems to me that any man prefers not to have his weaknesses laid bare, no matter the source, and at such times our altogether justifiable impulse merely presents to them as an uncomfortable reminder of whatever shortcomings they are struggling to conquer.
I assure you, it may look effortless, but knowing when to speak to my husband and when to let him be is a skill only developed over long years of partnership. I confess that when it comes to others, who may be dear but with whom my acquaintance is not as complete, it is much harder to judge the appropriate response. Often the best thing to do is the hardest thing, which is to wait until we are needed and be ready to offer what solace is ours to give.
The good news is that such times inevitably pass, eventually.
We are undeniably the luckiest of people, to live where we do and how we do. I hold that thought in my heart and find that it strengthens me.
Please do spend time with me in New London. I still owe you that spa day, after all. I daresay we could both use it!
Re: Private message to Narcissa Malfoy
Date: 2012-06-12 06:02 pm (UTC)Thank you. I am reassured that there's nothing crucial I'm missing or failing at entirely. And more and more certain that restraint is a virtue I should continue to nurture. (And as to stubborn, yes. I have added several items to my list of conversations clearly better not had at the moment in the last day.)
And you are quite right as to the luck and good fortune - and that keeping in mind the very wonderful parts is a fixed star to be sure of.
As to New London, I'd like that, please. Though your usual day at the spa is the first Wednesday, isn't it? In July, I'll be shepherding first years through Tintagel. August is a bit more possible.
If another day works better, please suggest. I do need to be at everything for the YPL, but could get away some days from the CCF weeks - I've just no idea which yet, but hope to by the 25th at the latest.
Regardless of the occasion, I'd love to see you and talk further. And in the meantime, all my best, to both you and your husband.