Some stories
bring us
home.

What drew me to write this book was a desire to preserve some of my family’s stories. My mother was one of seven siblings. As our family grew smaller and my mother’s health declined, I realized that the memories of their childhood and the experiences that shaped them could easily disappear with time. Since I spent sometimes weeks in Mexico, I too had many experiences that I wanted to document.

While caring for my mother, I often asked her about her younger years. Whenever my two remaining aunts visited, I kept a pen and notebook close by, taking notes. Listening to them laugh, reminisce, and recall long-forgotten moments inspired me to write my first fiction story, mainly to protect my family’s privacy. Most of the events are true, but the story itself is made up.

I’ve loved writing since I was a teenager. In the 1970s, I took a children’s writing course through the mail, but as life became busier with school and other responsibilities, I set that dream aside. Even so, I continued writing on my own over the years.

After retiring, I attended one of Tom Bird’s weekend writing retreats in Sedona, Arizona. His encouragement and guidance inspired me to pursue my lifelong passion for writing. I went on to publish my first book, Unraveled: A Journey Led by Faith and Hope, a memoir, followed by my second book, Yearning for Mamá: The One from Yesteryear, a nonfiction account of caring for my aging mother. Those experiences gave me the confidence and foundation to write my first work of fiction.

As I wrote, I wanted to transport readers back to the 1970s and capture the charm and simplicity of growing up in a small town. My goal was to create a story that would resonate with readers who appreciate that era while giving others a glimpse into a time when family, friendships, and community played a central role in everyday life. I enjoyed creating the main character and her family and friends.

Writing this book gave me the confidence to step outside my comfort zone and write my first work of fiction. The writing process also taught me to trust my instincts. At one point, I considered removing the Spanish words and phrases from the dialogue, fearing they might distract some readers. Instead, I realized they were essential to the authenticity of the story. They reflect the culture, setting, and everyday language of the people who live in this small town, making the characters and their experiences feel genuine.

Most of all, I gained the satisfaction of preserving the spirit of my family’s memories in a way that allows others to enjoy and connect with them through fiction.

I am currently writing the second book that follows Yearning for Mamá: The One from Yesteryear. After my mother’s recent passing, I felt called to finish her story. The first part of the book was written at night while I was caring for her through her journey with dementia. The second part will take the form of a letter to my mother after her passing, reflecting on our time together, my grief, and the lessons I learned along the way.

My hope is that by sharing both the difficult and the beautiful moments, other caregivers will know they are not alone.

I would also like to write an anthology with short stories about our old neighborhood. It will include stories from my siblings and old neighbors, or I’ll go solo!

Set your fears aside and listen to your heart. Keep a pen and notepad nearby, and write your thoughts down before they slip away. Start with a few notes, then write a paragraph, and then another. Before you know it, those paragraphs will begin to tell your story.

Most importantly, don’t wait for the perfect time or the perfect story. If your heart is telling you to write, then write. Your story matters, and no one else can tell it the way you can.