It is the sorrowful state of procrastinators to end up in
the position they most sincerely wished to avoid.
Time has spun forward, and I find myself, on this late spring day pondering my current state.
Time has spun forward, and I find myself, on this late spring day pondering my current state.
A governess works with a small family of children, guiding
their early years and shaping their young lives. In contrast, a schoolmarm is
responsible for a larger collection of minds, but a more narrow range of study.
It is in the latter group that I find myself at present; another spinster
turned teacher.
I toil beneath the watchful eye of a stern headmistress,
educating a clutch of disinterested and frivolous young ladies more focussed on
petty fripperies than the lessons I present them. It can be most disheartening to know all your
work is for naught. Perhaps I dwell too greatly on the little incidents that
seem to occur so frequently. I know I should remember the precious moments when
the mind suddenly opens, seeing the world as something new and marvelous. I
should remember the hands pressed into mine by young women prepared to face the
world and grateful for the few things I have added to their understanding.
Only today I look at the world around me and wonder if there
is not something better out there. What happened to adventures and mysterious
escapades? When did I become so old?
I fear this missive is turning into a page of grumbles and
groans. I think I will pause here. Hopefully tomorrow I will have recovered my equanimity
enough to share my gardening projects and the latest snippets of gossip that
you might find of interest.
With that in mind, I shall leave this poor excuse of a
letter unaddressed and unfinished…