Sibyl Graduates High School (part 14)

[My maternal grandmother, Sibyl Mary Croly, was born in Cadillac, Michigan on February 29, 1888, to James Croly and Maria (Cowles) (Dennett) Croly.  In 1889, her father started a journal about her, entitled "The Record of Little Sibyl." This is an exact transcription of the contents.]

June 26, 1906

I have just graduated from High School and, as I stand “where the brook and the river meet,” it seems fitting that I should write a few words in this little book. It is with a feeling of reverence that I do so. The book was placed in my hands when I was twelve years old, too young, as I now think, to understand or appreciate it. But since then I have read it many times, always with an increasing understanding and appreciation.

The loving record kept by my father of incidents of my babyhood, though to a stranger it might seem trivial and unimportant, is very dear and sacred to me, as it shows the love of that good man, who has done so much to make my childhood a pleasant one. Also I have learned to appreciate the tender comments which my sister and aunt added to his record. And I know why my mother could not be induced to write here. Surely no child was ever better loved that the one whose record fills these pages.

As I glance back over this book, I see that it is filled with the story of little triumphs. There is no failure, no sorrow; all is joy, love, and success. From what I have seen of life, I cannot think that that will be the story all the way through. I am not sure that it would be best. But all that I ask for myself is that I may be true to the promise of these pages and worthy of the love that inspired them. And I would ask that I may be made strong enough to keep from doing anything which I would be ashamed to have written in this book.

Sibyl Croly

The entire contents of “The Record of Little Sibyl” can be seen in these posts:

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