Hi Everyone,
This is a story about my Chinese grandmother, who came to the US in the 1920s. I grew up with her in my home, and she died at the age of 99.

Dave Rice, it turns out, is quite a historian, and became interested in my (half) Chinese heritage. I sent him some background material, and he put this whole song together, capturing some of the struggles and triumphs in her life, and the life of her husband, my grandfather.

I am so incredibly touched by what Dave did...the great beauty and depth he put into it...there are no words....thank you, Dave! We're thinking, in the future, of adding a child's voice at the end, saying, something like, "tell me the story again..."

Also, below is a photo of my grandparents.
Lisa

GRANDMOTHER'S STORY

Tell it one more time
About the baby in the basket
Left at the mission door
In China long ago

The fire that took your father's home
And brought him poverty
His fortune gone in flames
They had no place to go

Your mother's tears were flowing
Like a river from her eyes
As they placed you near the front door
With a note to let them know

Good fortune was encountered
At the mission home in China
You never felt neglected
Because they loved you so

Your beauty and your brilliance
Could never be ignored
Your suitor was a scholar
Romance began to grow

So tell me how you traveled here
As a mother and a wife
How you came to rescue others
Who had no place to go

You saved up for the journey
So full of hopes and dreams
Then traveled to this country
And never let fear show

Your husband was invited
To take a teaching post
At our great university
Right here in Baltimore

Your home became the center
Of your community
For art and Chinese culture
They all came to your door

(c) 2014, Dave Rice, ASCAP, Lisa Gundling

[Linked Image]