If for girls...

My wonderful Aunt La gave me this amazing treasure that has been in my family for years. It is amazing to me how something from so long ago can still be so relevant today.

If for girls... 

If you can hear the whispering about you
  And never yield to deal in whispers too 
If you can bravely smile when loved ones doubt you
  An never doubt in turn what loved ones do;
If you can keep a sweet and gentle spirit,
  In spite of fame or fortune, rank or place,
And though you win your goal or only near it
  Can win with poise or lose with equal grace;


If you can meet Unbelief, believing. 
  And hallow in your heart a simple Creed; 
If you can meet Deception, undeceiving
  And learn to look to God for all you need; 
If you can be what girls should be to mothers:
  Chums in joy and comrades in distress, 
And be unto others as you'd have the others
  Be unto you -- no more, and yet, no less; 

If you can keep within your heart the power
  To say that firm, unconquerable "No"
If you can brave a present shadowed hour
  Rather than yield to build a future woe;
If you can love, yet not let loving master
  But keep yourself within your own self's clasp, 
And let not dreaming lead you to disaster
  Nor Pitty's fascination loose your grasp;

If you can lock your heart on confidences
  Nor ever needlessly in turn confide;
If you can put behind you all presenses
  Of mock humility or foolish pride; 
If you can keep the simple, homely virtue
  Of walking right with God --The have no fear
That anything in all the world can hurt you 
  And - which is more - you'll be a Woman, dear. 


Ciao,
M.E.