Three-Storied Life
Christine Lavin Lyrics

At 46 years old she got divorced
She got divorced at the age of 46

doesn't matter who left who
It doesn't matter who initiated the divorce

this marriage was done
The marriage was over

so she bought a house and corner plot
She purchased a house and land located on a corner

in a California seaside town
The house was situated in a coastal town in California

a tiny cottage big enough for one
She bought a small house that was only big enough for one person

Though she was 3 blocks from the ocean
Despite being located three blocks away from the ocean

she had no view of it
She couldn't see the ocean from her house

the surrounding houses were two stories high
The neighboring houses had two floors

so she made the best of a sad situation
She tried to make the most of her situation despite feeling sad

worked her job managed to get by
She worked and managed to make ends meet

Though she had lots of friends
Even though she had many friends

her nights were long and lonely
She spent long and lonely nights

though she worked in her garden
She spent time working in her garden

and those seedlings came to bloom
Her plants grew and bloomed

and her grown son called her often
Her adult son frequently called her

but she missed her ex-husband
She had feelings of longing for her ex-husband

did the best she could with that tiny house
She tried her best to live in the small house she owned

and tiny rooms
Despite the small rooms in her house

Thirteen years went by
Thirteen years had passed

and the seaside town grew prosperous
The coastal town had become prosperous

and her house and land were worth
Her property had significantly increased in value

many times what she had paid
Her property was worth much more than the amount she originally paid

and her garden was the envy of the entire neighborhood
Her garden was so beautiful that it made her neighbors jealous

and she looked forward to the sunrise every day
She anticipated watching the sunrise every morning

But one day at her job it was an ordinary Monday
On an average Monday at work

shattered by a frantic phone call
She received a panicky phone call

by the time that she got home
By the time she arrived at her house

all that was left standing was a
There was only one thing left standing

back deck and a single wall
The back deck and a single wall of her house remained

All of her possessions in that lovely little house
All of her belongings in the charming small house

were smoldering beneath the California sky
Her possessions were burning under the California sky

though her friends and her ex-husband
Despite the presence and help of her friends and ex-husband

were quick to offer help
They swiftly offered their assistance

her heart was broken
She felt heartbroken

the light had left her eye
She lost her spark and felt despondent

Thank God she had insurance
Fortunately, she had insurance

and knew a creative architect
She was acquainted with an imaginative architect

who lived in this same town by the sea
The architect lived in the same coastal town

he said for not much more
He offered to rebuild for a reasonable price

I could rebuild a 2-story house
He suggested building a two-story house

for not much more than that it could be three
He said he could convert it into a three-story house for only a slightly higher cost

Now she's got a view of the ocean
She can see the ocean from her house now

from her new bedroom deck
She built a deck in her new bedroom

and a bouncy baby grandson adds
Her newborn energetic grandson brings

more new joy to her life
Additional happiness to her life

and she 's got a sweet new boyfriend
She has found a kind new partner in her life

and her ex-husband confided
Her ex-husband admitted

he's having lots of trouble with his wife
He is currently undergoing difficulties with his current wife

yes, her ex is having trouble with his wife
It is true that her ex is experiencing marital problems

No that part isn't true
This part of the story isn't actual

they are all on good terms
She and her ex-husband are on good terms

after all it's California
It's California, a place known for its openness

land of open heart and mind
A region identified for its broadmindedness and positive attitude

and as the sun sets over
As the sun descends beneath

the glorious Pacific
The majestic Pacific Ocean

I'm so glad to report that
I am happy to say that

my friend is doing fine
My friend is doing well

doing fine
She is doing well

doing fine
She is doing well

doing fine
She is doing well

doing fine
She is doing well