Happy 19th Birthday Elizabeth!

My Dearest Elizabeth,

Happy Birthday, my beautiful eldest daughter. Though coming third in line, you have always been the firstborn girl and taken that responsibility seriously and with confidence. You have grown up to be a fine young lady with a beauty springing from a heart devoted to God, as your name indicates: Elizabeth - "My God is a vow." Simple words cannot express my love for you and pride in your accomplishments. "You are loved with an everlasting love" (Jer. 31:3) by God above and by so very many of us down here on earth.

I remember myself at nineteen and the path that took me through the doors of Alpha Chi Omega sorority. Though your path has not passed over the threshold of an AXO house, the legacy blood that runs in your veins has been influenced by the beauty and loveliness that I found therein and wove into my life . . . and yours. Though I will not be pinning a lyre badge over your heart in this nineteenth year, I can share "My Symphony" with you, written by one of my sorority sisters back in 1914.

When I first read "My Symphony" by Celia McClure it touched a deep chord in me. I share this beautiful poem with you today as my gift to you across the miles. Today I will not watch you blow out 19 candles, nor will I hug you with the love amassed over 19 precious years, but I will be thinking of the many blessings you have brought to my life (19 x 19 x 19 . . . doesn't even begin to cover it!) and smiling as I read this symphony knowing that you will read it for the very first time today, as I did at 19. May you see beauty all around you on this special, special day.

Happy Birthday!

With Love,

Mom(my)

My Symphony

To see beauty even in the common things of life.
To shed the light of love and friendship round me.
To keep my life in tune with the world

That I shall make no discords in the harmony of life.
To strike on the lyre of the universe

Only the notes of happiness, of joy, of peace.
To appreciate every little service rendered.
To see and appreciate all that is noble in another,
Be her badge what it may.
And to let my lyre send forth the chords of

Love, unselfishness, sincerity.
This is to be my symphony.

-Celia McClure, AXO Delta Chapter: Allegheny College, 1914