In the book When Heaven and Earth Changed Places by Le Ly Hayslip, Le Ly was just one of many peasants trying to survive in war. To survive, tough decisions had to be made; decisions that can push farmers to go against their roots. However, as we see them do throughout the book, the peasants do not completely abandon their family traditions. Le Ly was very close to his father and kept everything he taught him in mind while making difficult choices. “My father taught me to love God, my family, our traditions, and the people we could not see: our ancestors” (ix). With her father's help, she was able to honor her past, provide for her family, and give her son a chance at a better future. If Le Ly was unable to adequately provide for her family, she felt like she was letting down her father and ancestors. Le Ly has never forgotten to honor the past while trying to improve the living conditions of its future generations. Le Ly's father had a great influence in his life. His father once told him: “The goodness you carry in your heart is good: love for your ancestors, your baby, your family and for everything that lives. Everything that comes between you and this love is bad” (201). After her father's death, she realized how the past was connected to the future and was determined to please her father's spirit in everything she did. Le Ly was always listening to the spirit of his father calling to him; to its little peach blossom. Thanks to her father, she knew that she could and should go to America with her son to have a better life. Once in America, Le Ly knew she could not cut her roots from the country she loved, as long as she was called to help her struggling home country. When she returned to Vietnam to see her family, she understood the need for help and knew she had been called home for a reason. Once again she heard her father, this time welcoming her home. “Bay Ly, Bay Ly – my little peach blossom – why have you been gone so long” (315)? His family counted on Le Ly to bridge the gap between Vietnam and America and provide aid to the peasants..