Farewell, Sweet Wallpaper...

In case you haven't noticed, I'm a sucker for sentimentality. When I eventually hit the dirt, my kids will have a terrible time hauling to the dump boxes of precious items like my first grade change purse, and the door knob to the bedroom I had growing up.

So when we were house shopping, I absolutely fell in love with this room. It was the vintage wallaper, the french doors with small pull-down shades, the curved ceiling, the old fashioned lighting. I loved moving my daughter into this room. Now, she says the wallpaper keeps her awake at night and upsets her stomach. Huh. And, in truth, behind her bed it's a mess...peeling, etc. So I finally agreed that it was time to go. Still, I need time to mourn.

When I found this poem - 'If for Girls' at a a flea market, I knew it had to come home with me. You may be familiar with the origional "If" poem by Kipling. This one is just as wonderful. Share it with a young girl you love.

"If" For Girls

If you can trust yourself though others doubt you

And conquer fears that limit what you dare

So you can freely give to those about you

The skills and talents that rare yours to share;
If you can live, not for your pleasure only,

But gladly lend your gentleness and grace

To warm the hearts of those whose lives are lonely

And help to make their world a better place;
If you can balance dreams with practicality

And deal in facts, but never lose ideals,

If you can face the harshness of reality

And find the truths that prejudice conceals;
If you can be courageous when defeated

And humble in the face of victory,

Or give your best until a task's completed,

However difficult that task may be;
If you can temper facts with understanding

And seek to gently guide, not to control,

And neither be too lax nor too demanding,

But keep in mind the worth of every soul...
If you can strive, not caring who gets credit,

And work at building bridges, and not walls

,Or hearing idle slander, just forget it

And never fail to help someone who falls;
If you can give your help without begrudging

The patience, time and effort you impart,

Or look at others' weakness without judging

And see, not with your eyes, but with your heart;
If you can take resources that surround you

And use them in the way you feel you should,

You'll be a woman...and all those around you

Will be the richer for your womanhood

Gale Baker Stanton