Field of Memories is a memoir told through a long chain of short, self-contained stories sharing moments from all stages of life and touching on themes of gratitude, faith, and remembering. How did you decide which memories belonged in the book?

Choosing which memories to include was one of the most challenging aspects of writing Field of Memories. Ultimately, my guiding question became not which memories mattered most to me, but which ones might resonate most deeply with a reader. I included recollections that carried universal emotions and experiences—those common threads of humanity that connect us across age, circumstance, and belief. By focusing on moments rooted in gratitude, faith, and remembrance, I hoped to create stories that felt both deeply personal and widely relatable.

Why are sensory details—cars, smells, objects—so important in your storytelling?

Sensory details anchor my stories in a specific time and place. They allow me to translate what I see and feel so vividly in memory into language that the reader can experience. By layering these details into my storytelling, I invite the reader to move beyond observation and into immersion, to not just read the story but to travel alongside me through it.

How has your understanding of grief evolved over time?

It has been essential for me to honor my grief, not as something to overcome, but as a spiritual journey deserving of reverence and patience. Grief is the deepest evidence that love existed—that it does not disappear when someone is gone. Over time, my understanding has softened and matured. Healing has arrived in quiet, incremental ways, not because the loss has faded, but because I have learned how to carry love and loss together. Grief no longer feels like an interruption to life; it has become a companion that has expanded my capacity for compassion, presence, and meaning.

If you could add one more vignette today, what would it be about?

I would include a vignette about an influential elementary school math teacher who made it his personal mission to ensure I truly understood fractions and percentages. I struggled at first, but instead of letting me fall behind, he was determined to help me build both the skills and confidence I needed to succeed. Through his patience, unwavering kindness, and individualized attention, my understanding grew—and so did my belief in myself. By the end of the year, I was an A student. Mr. Smith’s dedication transformed my experience with learning, and his compassion left a lasting impression.