In Celebration of the 96th Birthday of Clera Ivy Marybelle Scott Strange
January 18, 2003
By: Arrie Strange Dollard

It's an honor and a privilege, at the beginning
Of this brand new year,
To gather together and celebrate with joy,
The birthday of one we hold so dear.

We have watched in awe and wonder,
As you've negotiated the highways of life,
You've triumphed over insurmountable
Obstacles and debilitating strife.

At the tender age of fourteen
You had to go out on your own,
Only to find that the cold, cruel world
Has a heart that is made of stone.

You said you were sixteen to get
Your foot in the door,
But you beat out the competition,
And got a job at Kress' store.

You were glad to get the job,
But it was very hard to survive,
Your stomach was empty and your
Pocketbook flat as you worked from nine to five.

You rode the streetcar to work and
You were hungry to the core,
But you showed up each day to sell china,
At the five-and-ten-cent store.

When alone in the world as an orphan,
Your options are very few,
When you have no shelter or provisions,
You do what you have to do.

So you struggled along for survival,
But little did you know,
The Great Depression was engulfing our land,
And would deal you a shattering blow.

You were among the millions who lost their job,
And your fate was not in doubt,
As the company policy clearly stated:
"Last hired, first out."

So you had to return to Meridian,
To an undesirable circumstance,
It was a bitter defeat for a bright orphan girl,
Who only wanted a chance.

But little did you know that
You had a rendezvous with fate,
Because upon visiting your brother, Ellis,
You met you lifelong mate.

To say your life was not a bed of roses,
Is putting it mildly, for sure,
You and Dad struggled through the Great
Depression and had endless trials to endure.

But through the years you prospered,
And hardships began to fade,
And with faith and hard work you turned life's
Lemons into lemonade.

Those born with a silver spoon in their mouth,
Haven't a clue about real life,
Because true grit and character are built
By overcoming adversities and strife.

Upon reaching the pinnacles of mountains,
One can only appreciate the views,
If he has reached the heights by his
Own struggles and truly paid his dues.

Certainly your life is a testament
To you faith in God up above,
And he's watched over his faithful servant
With a strong and abiding love.

You were never ashamed to reach out
To people across the land,
To testify how He's touched your life
And held you in the palm of his hand.

So as you think back over the trials and
Triumphs of bygone years,
You know He's stood beside you
And wiped away your tears.

Even though your formal education
Ended too soon for one so bright,
Your lifelong quest for knowledge
Is a shining beacon of light.

In case anyone doubts this, don't ever
Challenge Mother,
Because she can run you ragged-
Up one side and down the other.

Her command of the English language,
Is impressive to say the least,
And if you stick around her, your
Vocabulary will increase.

She's incredible at reciting poetry,
And an awesome history buff, too,
The Holy Bible is her refuge, and
She can quote it through and through.

So she is leaving a wonderful legacy
To her children and grandkids, too.
And we thank God, in His infinite wisdom
For giving us a Mother like you.

WITH LOVE AND BEST WISHES FOR A HAPPY 96th BIRTHDAY
FROM YOUR CHILDREN, GRANDCHILDREN AND GREAT-
GRANDCHILDREN!!
 

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