The story opens with Rose and Elizabeth returning to America from a visit to their Irish home to see Mother, Father, their brother Robert, and to comfort Mary Kate, whose fiance had died suddenly. Rose yearns to be with Dermot, her husband, and writes letters to him each day while on the ship. Elizabeth writes to Red, and has fallen in love with him. Mary Kate returns to Dublin and summons the courage to live without her love, Edmund. We follow the sisters as they build their lives with love and hope, family and children. We see them interact with friends who they soon consider to be family. Before their time, they are women who work but it is only in America that they get a pay envelope. While journeying with them, we experience their hardships, challenges, and triumphs. Most of all, experience their love for each other, for family, and for others.
