Today was Grace’s original due date, so Grace and Con got together at her apartment to have a little “birthday” party for Shep. It was really just a normal meal with the addition of a cupcake at the end—for Grace, not Shep, as he is still eating only milk. He has gained weight splendidly, though. While he is still small, the doctors have assured Grace that he is above average size for newborns and well beyond what they expected for…
Tonight was the first evening that I had the chance to work with Freya. Of course I have been to visit her many times since she was assigned to my charge—how strange that still seems to me!—but these have been quiet weeks for her, with little activity in her romantic life. I was excited, then, when she arranged to meet a new friend for a drink this evening. I should have known better; with this woman, nothing happens just as…
Today was an education. It being a peaceful time for all of my charges, I have had time to think of other things, and my mind kept going back to what my seniors said to me, about possibly moving on to a new discipline. A Gather, they said, or a Comforter, or a Singer. I have thought much about these disciplines since then. I know something of the Gather’s art, but I do not think it is for me. To…
Here again comes the time for gratitude, for much food and much warmth, for family and love. I do love this time of year. Ted’s holiday was much different than he is accustomed to. He does have a sister who has an extensive family and who frequently invites him to join them, but she lives in Nevada, and Ted does not enjoy traveling enough to make the trip more than every third year or so. His Thanksgiving meal usually consists…
It is always sad when there is trouble between people because of something small and innocent. It is always sad when people find reasons to be angry in something that should bring joy. My watcher Imatti sent for me only moments after Gabrielle arrived home with her new charge, and I arrived only seconds later to find Nick still staring down at the little tumble of brown and white fur that was sniffing around his feet. I loved the puppy…
Some of you have been wondering, as I have, whether I will be receiving a new charge with Brid soon. It was several months ago now that I was told this would happen. I thought that the delay was due to Brid’s time being taken up by her other charges, but she told me just today that she does have the time to spare. I was tired of talking about myself and asked how she was faring, and she told…
I have been trying to move on from the recent events, and I know that my seniors wish to do the same. But there is something that has been bothering me, and today I finally had the chance to ask about it. I am not certain that the answer reassures me at all. Today was a difficult day for Gabrielle—it is Erica’s birthday, which meant that she had to call her old friend and talk to her cheerfully for some…
I have just returned from checking in with Harrington, who is doing very well—both Brid and I are pleased with the progress he has made. What pleases me more, however, is that he has found a new interest, and this one may make a real difference to many others. On their trip to look at Harrington’s college, I stopped in with them more than once, just to make certain that he and Arthur were getting along. It seemed to me…
I spent much of the day today with Freya, just enjoying her company. I still find it difficult to believe that this is where I am. When I first met her, I had one wing and no rank, no experience, nothing to show for myself. Now I am here, with much in my past and even more in my future. From what Lubos tells me, Freya is the same. Her boss is looking at her for a promotion, and she…
I am confused. I am exultant. I am humbled. And somewhere deep inside, a part of me, the part that best remembers the feeling of being wingless and new, is afraid. I was never alone, in the hours leading up to the interview. Brid and Inca have been most steadfast—ever since the event, if I was in heaven, one or the other has been with me, if not both. But others of my brothers and sisters have come to be…