One of my life’s blessings was to meet a group of friends in High School that are as dear to me today as they were then. Mary Ellen, Sally, and Susie are intelligent, witty, courageous, and compassionate women who’ve stood strong with me through thick and thin.
I recently came across a book, If for Girls, written by Jean Kyler McManus and Illustrated by Liselotte Malnar, that these friends gave me on my sixteenth birthday. It’s a sweet, palm-sized book with delicate pastel drawings and text in cursive.
It’s written in verse with each page beginning with “If you.” The book begins:
If you can live each day
with the assurance
That “A girl” is something
wonderful to be
If you can find a way
to meet your problems
with courage and with
true maturity
The book goes on by suggesting “girls” reject vulgar style and what is worthless, guard one’s principles, and not complain. It encourages standing up for what’s right, comforting those in need, and making firm decisions. It concludes
If you can practice all the
Arts of living
With real integrity
You’re bound to be a
Happy person, always
And the lovely woman you were meant to be.
I’m not sure how many teens today would encourage their friends to live such principles. I’m fortunate my friends did and have followed their own guidance. They truly are the lovely women they were meant to be.
©2015, Mary K. Doyle