róisín doge, healer.

"If patience is worth anything, it must endure to the end of time. And a living faith will last in the midst of the blackest storm." -Mahatma Gandhi( Read more... )

Oh, and hope is the soul of the dreamer
And heaven is the home of my God
It only takes one true believer
To believe you can still beat the odds

We're meant to be baby hold onto me
I'll never not be your girl
'Cause love is heart of the world( Read more... )

Warded to Oberon & Dulci:

My friend Miriam - Miriam Strout, the pretty blonde Muggleborn Mind Healer - got fired today. Her words were that she was told she wasn't doing her job well enough.

Warded to Friends & Family of both Rose & Oberon - minus Oberon!:

I have a huge favour to ask of someone. Oberon's birthday is on the 30th, and I took the day and the day after off so I'd actually be able to (hopefully) do something. I'm thinking a dinner party in the evening, and then I'm hoping to be able to do is steal him away from everyone for a night, and I'll need a babysitter. I know it's hard to predict what'll happen between now and then, but I have to try. We need Any takers?

Warded to Oberon:

If you can at all, try to save your birthday and the morning after for us.

Warded to Family/Friends of Oberon & Rose:

I've had the weekend to sort out the news I have, so now I feel like I'm in a better place to let everyone know that we'll be adding a new member to our household very soon.




No, it's not what I really hope you all thought it was because I really need a laugh. We're figuring out the steps we need to take to become my nephew's guardians, since he's too young to be left on his own, so don't be surprised if you ever visit and there's a teenager around. I don't know a thing about raising teenagers, but I suppose it'll be good practice for Puck. I'm going back to work this weekend too, so we'll be as busy as ever. If anyone wants to help me get a bedroom ready for a teenage boy, we have until June.

Warded to Ophelia:

I'm sorry my life went belly-up just in time for your birthday. Belated drinks & dinner sometime?

Warded to Oberon:

Liam says he wants to get back to Hogwarts - I'm pretty sure they'd give him more time but I think he wants something more to do than play with a two year old all day. I was thinking maybe Friday, so he has the weekend to get settled back in. It's safer there anywa

I'm not going to say more about all of the activity on the journals today, but I would like to take a moment to thank everyone who has offered condolences to myself and my family this week, as well as everyone who has offered to help in any way. I can't tell you how much it has meant to me this week, and I feel so blessed to have so many people thinking of us during this difficult time. Your kindness won't be forgotten.

I'd also like to offer my deepest condolences to the Cornerstone family as well. I know how difficult this must be, and my thoughts and prayers are with you.

Warded to Family & Friends:

We'll be hosting the wake for both Sean and Maeve tomorrow evening beginning at 6 pm at my parents' home in Galway. We - along with Maeve's family - thought it would be easiest to hold the wake and the memorial jointly. Anyone is welcome, of course, but just be warned that we'll be having a few drinks and it most likely won't be a terribly somber affair.

The memorial service will be on Saturday at 2 pm, at St Augustine's Church in Galway. It's looking like we'll fill the church easily between both of our families and everyone they knew, which is just completely overwhelming. If anyone would like to come, let me know and I'll tell you where the apparition point is. Just keep in mind this is all going to be 1) Catholic and 2) nearly entirely Muggle. I'll be saying a few words too, once I figure out what those are.

Warded Private:

I've tried to start writing something a dozen times this morning, and all I end up doing is staring at the wall. I know I should try to get some sleep, but there's so much to be done, and press to avoid, and I can't wrap my head around what's happened. I know it can't be random. It can't have been. Not in their own home. Not given who I am -- the filth that's murdering proper witches and wizards -- and Oberon, and the fact that these monsters don't want me in this world and certainly not with him, but I hardly have a place with my own family, so what am I supposed to do? What is Liam supposed to do? Where are we supposed to go if we don't fit in anywhere?

I don't think it's really hit me yet. Mum's crying, and Brid's crying, and I don't even know what to say to anybody. They wouldn't have even known anything was coming. They never had a chance to protect themselves.

Sean, I am so sorry. I'm so sorry you were sitting ducks and I'm sorry there are monsters in the world who hated you this much and couldn't just leave you alone when you weren't harming anyone at all, and I'm so sorry things have to be this way.

Warded to Friends & Family:

I don't quite know how to say this. I never thought I thought they'd just ign Last night my brother and my sister-in-law were murdered. I'm taking some time off work to help my parents sort things out. My nephew Liam's here with us... I don't really have much to say beyond that.

If someone could come watch Puck for a little while at any time this week while we deal with this, we'd really appreciate it.

Warded to Family -- MINUS Hephaestus:

Although I'm sure it's entirely too late to be able to get most of us available on Saturday, or sometime this weekend, I think we ought to try. It's Hephaestus' birthday on Saturday, and I have a little one who has a present for his grandfather. I'm going to ask him what his plans are for this weekend as well, just in case... well, I'm not quite sure what sort of plans I expect he'll have, but you never know.

What does everyone's schedule look like? I'm working a day shift on Saturday, but there's always Friday and Sunday too. I don't think he'll be that picky.

Warded to Hephaestus Doge:

Any big plans for your birthday, or do you think you could fit us in at some point?

When I began Healer training all those years ago (we're going on eleven now! Eleven! I can't believe it.), I thought I knew what I was signing up for as far as my schedule was concerned. I knew some weeks I'd have to work at night and miss everything my friends did during the evenings or during the day on the weekends. I knew I'd work holidays, and I knew it'd be difficult to make plans on the days I was on call, just in case there was an emergency. I didn't enter into it blindly, and our trainers made sure we understood how big of a commitment it was. It's big. It's important. It's worth it.

Then I met Oberon, and I can't tell you how hard it was to fit in any sort of dating life between my job and his (why did I have to have a thing for law enforcement? I asked myself that early on, over and over. It must be the hair, I suppose.). Then we had a baby, and everything got more complicated. Because even though I knew I'd miss out on a lot, I wasn't really prepared to face it. There's nothing quite like actually going through it. Luckily, he's been too young to know what day it is, so I can get by with celebrating some things early or late, but he's getting older, and one day, he's going to pout and look at me with huge sad eyes and ask me why we're not having an Easter egg hunt, and I'm going to have to say "because Mummy has to work, sweetheart."

I think I have at least one more good year of tricking him before he's really going to notice.

I missed out on Easter services at church back home too, which was too bad, but I hope I'll be forgiven for that. Thankfully, I did manage to stop by for dinner with my family that night. My nephew's home from Hogwarts, and he made a beeline right for me to tell me everything. He's a good Quidditch player, he says. He wants to be a star one day, he says, and that he'd fly around on his broom all day if he could. I told him not to neglect his schoolwork (you're welcome, Professor McGonagall!).

Well, I think it's obvious I'm a bit bored at home today.

Warded to Damocles Belby:

How did everything go?

I feel exceptionally grateful that I was able to escape yesterday without being the victim of too many pranks. Too often we have people come in and waste our time by stringing us along. All things considered, having a bucket of confetti dropped on my head was one of the more enjoyable ones, even if I can't seem to remove all of it. Magic, making pranks that much more creative since... I'm not sure when, but most likely a very long time.

Warded to Damocles Belby:

I hope the wards are working again.

All of this attention being given to the Wolfsbane Potion got me thinking and how I can better help my own patients, so I went ahead and talked to the guardians of one of our most recent patients about it. The patient is young, and this next full moon will be his first. I'm not sure what sort of stock you have currently available, but it's worth thinking about either way, for a few days from now or for next month. Thoughts?

It feels so good to be back to work after last week. Spending the weekend stuck at home was not part of my plans for the weekend, and certainly not when there was so much more I could have been doing. It's why I couldn't stay at home for more than six months after Puck was born. I wanted to, of course, and I doubted myself every day, but ultimately... I can do so much at work. I only hope Puck will forgive me for it.

In any case, since I'm starting to feel better (although now I know just what our patients go through with these shots... goodness, and to think I still have several more rounds!), I'd like to finally thank everyone for helping us out over the weekend. With me recuperating and Oberon busy with work, it hasn't been an easy week.

Lastly (and certainly not least): my thoughts are, as ever, with all of the victims from last week's attack, as well as with their loved ones. It's an enormous tragedy, and one I won't forget.

Warded to Penny Diggory:

What are we doing for your birthday?

Warded to Oberon Doge:

Dulci updated me. Be careful, I love you, and if you need me to send you & the rest of the office anything to eat tonight or tomorrow night, just say the word. Unfortunately, you'll be out of luck tomorrow during the day, but then again, so will I, if it's busy.

Warded to Friends & Family:

I was lucky enough to avoid the broadcast this morning, but I know not everyone was. How are you all holding up, and would you rather I told you stories that have nothing to do with this morning?

May St. Patrick guard you wherever you go,
and guide you in whatever you do--
and may his loving protection be a blessing to you always.

It's a good day to be Irish, and it's a good day to not be at work. I've been trying to teach Puck some Irish words all day. It's slow going, but we'll get there. I'm that determined.

Sláinte! And please be careful if you're out drinking today. Be sure to have someone sober to help you return home (you don't want to splinch yourself, trust me), and pay attention to your surroundings!

Warded to Friends & Family:

Thank you - again - to everyone who was able to make it on Saturday. I think the party was a wild success. Or at least Puck seemed to have a good time, and that's what matters most.

I was going to share this on Saturday, but with everything going on during the full moon and on Saturday, I barely had the chance to sleep, let alone breathe or write much of anything, so here's to my darling boy. I can't wait until he's old enough to be embarrassed by pictures of himself as a baby. I hope
( wave your wand )

Warded to Cedric Weasley:

I still can't wrap my head around this last full moon. It's - I hate to say it's incredible, because that also has a positive connotation, but it's unbelievable.

Warded to Penelope Diggory:

I want to create a basket of goodies for Portia to enjoy over the next few weeks. I was thinking about giving her things that I found useful, or things I wish I'd discovered earlier, and I think I'd like to stick to things that would help her with all the aches and pains. Pamper her a little. Let's brainstorm.

Warded to Oberon Doge:

Since I know you'd worry until you heard, we're home safe and sound. Puck fell asleep on my shoulder as we were leaving, and I'm thinking about joining him.

Just three days until his birthday. I can hardly believe it. This time three years ago, I was waddling around the house, trying to come up with some way to jump-start labour. It's all gone by so quickly! And to think we're just a few months off our third wedding anniversary too. It feels like I've been stuck with you for ages.

Warded to Family & Friends:

Just a quick reminder: Puck's second birthday is on Saturday, and we'll be having everyone over around 4 or 4:30 - whenever you can make it is fine! It's just going to be a handful of kids running around the house, really. If you're working until 7, don't worry - we'll still be here (actually, you're the whole reason we're starting late), and I'll be sure to save some cake for you.

And of course, if anyone besides Penny wants to come help me set everything up ahead of time, I would love it.

Warded Private:

I am not filth. I am not a thief. I am not an animal. My parents aren't, my brother isn't, my sister isn't. My grandparents, my sister-in-law, my nephew. We are not below you. We are human beings. A person's worth isn't linked to whether or not they have magic, or how much money they have, or who their family is. Who a person really is can be found in the way they treat other people. That's how we know the quality of your person. That's how we know who you are. When you're kind, when you treat others with respect. That's how we know who you are inside. They do not want to hunt you down or make you suffer. All my parents want is to be left alone, and for their family to be safe and happy.

Warded to Wei Chang:

How are you feeling? Any better than this morning? Your girl's been a joy to have over (although two toddlers at once - goodness, they're a handful).

My thoughts are, of course, with everyone injured in yesterday's attacks. I wish all of you a quick recovery.

Warded to Oberon:

Hush, I know I can just talk to you about this tonight, but if this is written down, I'll have an easier time remembering what we've agreed when I'm halfway through a night shift.

Puck's birthday. It's a Saturday, but I have night shifts on either side. Dulci suggested it should overlap the shift change for those of us who'll have to work over the weekend, and I'm thinking we should start mid-afternoon so that Puck and I can nap before the party and so it doesn't go on too long. I'll tell everyone to just come and go as they can; there's no reason for Cally to overexert herself with the baby due so soon, and with toddlers... it doesn't seem wise to have a strict schedule. I'm thinking a dragon theme. He's drawing you a picture right now. I believe you're riding a dragon, but it's rather abstract. Is there something you two have been keeping from me?

Warded to Ophelia Ketteridge:

How'd it go? Tell me everything, Mrs Ketteridge.

Warded to Family & Friends:

If at all possible - I know how difficult it is for many of us to plan ahead - but Oberon and I would love to have you all over on March 10 for Puck's second birthday. I'm still working out the details, but expect mid-afternoon and into the early evening.

Warded Private:

Good heavens. I should have learned not to listen to the wireless weeks ago. I should have turned it right off the moment I heard something strange, and I should not have kept listening.

This is awful, feeling grateful for having been overlooked when others weren't. I can't afford to be foolish enough to think it was accidental. We'd be better off assuming either they're going to come without warning because I'm so filthy that I don't even deserve that much, or they're saving us for another time. Days like these I wonder what I've done. I should have never I can't think like that either. I belong here. Kevin belonged here, and Ariadne shouldn't be frightened and intimidated like this. None of these people deserve this.

This house is so quiet tonight. I keep feeling the urge to look out the windows.

Warded to Ophelia Dawlish:

Are you and all of yours safe? I was listening to the wireless earlier.