Typically a librarian’s recommendation involves a book.  But last night, a couple of hours before close I remembered I had a long commute to my work location today, and thought it might be nice to have some music along the way.   So in a lull between patrons I purused the CD collection.  Did you know that you can borrower music CDs from your local library?  Check it out!  The first one I picked up turned out to be a winner.

It’s done by Peter Boyer and the Philharmonic Orchestra, along with several well known actors, and it’s called “Ellis Island:  The Dream of America.” I listened to part of it on my short drive home.  As the music began my eyes immediately welled up; it sounded like something I would love to do with a group of musicians, interesting and heart stirring.  And then the first actor spoke, and the tears slid down my cheeks.  These are the words of immigrants who came to Ellis Island in the 20’s, 30’s and 40’s, read by actors of similar ethnic backgrounds.  The music flows behind the words, and between the readings it swells.

When I visited Ellis Island in the spring of 2008 I listened to several recorded accounts of arrivals at the island, the hopes and dreams, the stories of loss and renewal.  These are similar short versions of individual stories.  Each tugs at your heart.  And makes you realize how lucky we are to be here, most of us just by virtue of being born.  Check your local library and see if you can borrower this CD for a bit.  You won’t be sorry.

But then, I’m a sentimental sort of soul.