Grandeur to Ashes

“Ms. Li, we have to leave! People are saying that Japanese planes are flying over soon!” It was chaos, everybody at the studio was panicking as they evacuated. At the time, the situation was unclear to me. Having to leave Shanghai, my home, so quickly was too much to process in my mind. Although a rather large group, our film studio left together. Somewhere during the chaos, the studio also contacted my family, to ensure that they would come along. It all happened quickly, the chaos, the evacuation and leaving Shanghai. Soon I was heading to Chongqing. Too many thoughts ran through my at once that I couldn’t speak. We were out of Shanghai when I had heard the most devastating news. The Japanese did in fact fly over Shanghai and bombed the theater district. Right then, my heart skipped a beat. I couldn’t wrap my mind around it. The theater district, my home away from home, had just been bombed. I then heard in the background more news, that there were injured and dead men lying on the streets, most no longer recognizable. That area in Shanghai is so dear to my heart; I couldn’t believe that it is now destroyed.

All that happened exactly a year ago, August 14, 1937. I’ve spent all of the year recovering from the trauma. Fortunately, I still remember how much I love Shanghai, because that is all that’s left. On Avenue Edward VII was the greatest and liveliest area of Shanghai, the theater district. Oh, what joy the place brought me! There was always so much to see, such as street vendors and pavement sideshows. The foreigners, the rich and the sightseers also added to the excitement and splendor. Because I am an actress, the beautiful theaters were the highlight. Not only because they were where I spent most of my time, but also because they beautiful architecturally. When I filmed for several months, I was always overjoyed to watch the premieres. I was proud to see myself on the screen, knowing that I achieved my childhood dream of acting.

Now all of this has happened, what is in the future for me? My home, and my dreams have been taken away. Should I even hope for the future? Or is it useless?