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The best gift you can ever receive, is the one staring back at you.

I was cleaning up today—sifting through old memories, and making room for more. And, as is often the case in my sifting about—I came across something that was so very special to me. It was a hand-written note given to me on the day of my graduation, and before I set out into this great, big world.

And though, at first I thought these words would serve as a reminder—in time, I realized they had become my “compass.”

The words were quite simple enough, as they often are in messages of the most profound meaning. It helps the message make its way through sometimes, when the mind is maybe not quite ready.

And so, as I hold this tattered paper in my hands—I’m thinking now of all the places I have been, the people I have met, and the love that has been shared along this way. And, in this moment, I am ever-grateful for these few short words scribbled onto this well-worn piece of paper.

So, tonight I will share these words again with you—in hopes, they might find their way into a new life, and a brand new life’s adventure. I hope you don’t mind that I’ve taken the liberty of a little careful wordsmithing—after all, the poem was written in the early 1930’s and how could the author have known that we women would soon take on and change this world?

We should all be so lucky to have the gift of a compass handed to us on our graduation day. And, then hopefully have the sense enough to hold onto it.

The Man Gal in the Glass

When you get what you want in your struggle for self

And the world makes you king for a day,

Just go to a mirror and look at yourself,

And see what that man has to say.

For it isn’t your father or mother or wife,

Who judgment upon you must pass;

The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life

Is the one starring back from the glass.

He’s the fellow to please, never mind all the rest.

For he’s with you clear up to the end,

And you’ve passed the most dangerous, difficult test

If the man in the glass is your friend.

You may be like Jack Horner and “chisel” a plum,

And think you’re a wonderful guy,

But the man in the glass says you’re only a bum

If you can’t look him straight in the eye.

You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years.

And get pats on the back as you pass,

But your final reward will be the heartaches and tears

If you’ve cheated the man in the glass.

 ~ Dale Wimbrow (c) 1934

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Ed: Lynn Hasselberger