At Least It Ended On A High Note

[teddy_radiator]

Well, the day arrived. The Hubs and I announced to the world that as of Saturday, April 9th, we would close the Tea Room permanently. As of that date, the Victoria Tea Room is no more.

I am terribly sad, but philosophical. We honestly tried our damdest to keep it going, and friends rallied around in all sorts of wonderful ways. We are a little overwhelmed with all the stuff we have to do to clear out the building, but we have given ourselves a week to do it. At the end of that week, we will be having a huge 'Yard Sale' at the shop and try to sell as much as we absolutely can. Please keep fingers and toes crossed for us.

Our largest shop fitting was bought today, so that takes a little pressure off us for the short term. Our personal household expenses aren't too big, so we don't have to search for high powered jobs to keep us afloat. Wish us luck.

At the end of a very dismal week, I received a package from the amazing tally1302 . It was something she'd told me to be on the lookout for, and it was for my writing wall. Aside from the fact that the envelope was covered in beautiful stamps from South Africa, it contained two originals, and this was the one that made me literally gasp, and the Hubs to say, "That is Incredible!":

Are those not the most haunted eyes you have ever seen? It is labeled, Lay Me Low, and I believe it's from the chapter where Severus walks with Hermione through the shell of her parents' burned-out home, and they grieve together. It just tears a hole in me, it's so beautiful. I am so looking forward to finding a lovely matt and frame for this. She also included a lovely little sketch of Hermione throwing herself in a surprised Severus' arms. It is adorable, and is also going up on the wall. To know that something I wrote inspired something this beautiful is so humbling. First Sempra, then Taffy. I have three originals, all done for me, and they are the treasures of my heart.

Friends remind you that there is lots to look forward to in life. Thank you, Taffy, for reminding me that darkness and dawn are soulmates and you can't have one without the other. It really helped put the sad events of the day in perspective, and gave me hope for tomorrow, when we start the dreary process of informing everyone and dusting off our resumes.

Finally, because laurielover1912 did it and was so outraged that her ideal mate was Voldemort, I had to try it. It also helped take some of the sting out of the day. As if there was any doubt:

Who is your Harry Potter Mate Your Result: Severus Snape   You like your mate with a dry wit and a sharp tounge. You do not mind the emotional baggage that comes with him. You may have to drag him kicking and screaming from the potion lab, but once his love is given, it will never waiver.
Lord Voldemort
Remus Lupin
Ronald Weasley
Lucius Malfoy
Draco Malfoy
Harry Potter
Albus Dumbledore
Who is your Harry Potter Mate Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

Comments

[tally1302.livejournal.com]

Am so glad you like it and that it came on a day when it could cheer you up :) Yes you are exactly right, that is the scene that it was based on! I had to include the other little sketch because this one was just so sad. But I remember you said something about how emotionally sad art inspired you (referring to the deleted scene from HBP), and I'm all about feeding the muse.

I am sorry to hear about your tearoom, but hopefully there is something equally exciting and enthralling on the horizon just waiting for its chance to happen.

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

Tally, bless you so much. I am just so humbled and grateful for friends like you. The Hubs and I are two fortunate people who had the chance to make our dream a reality, and we are grieving, but we are just thankful we had the opportunity to make it happen, and we did it right, and we are so proud of it.

You are such a talented artist, and I will treasure your drawings for the rest of my life. I look to the future knowing we are surrounded by those who care about us and if good wishes and love and support count for anything, we are rich indeed.