We have so many pictures and memories of Megan in the kitchen in her apron with some wonderful aromas wafting from the oven.

To say that Samoans love food is a reduction of a powerful feature of the culture. There's certainly a lot of eating that goes on. But it's easy to miss that food is an integral ingredient of a loving culture of hospitality and graciousness. Samoans are often big, strong people, proud of who they are and natural leaders. They are also extraordinarily loyal to their language and culture through their commitment to family. Raising two children in Massachusetts--far from opportunities to help them share in this rich culture--meant frequent trips to the Pacific. It also meant sharing the habits of mind and action that my parents shared with me: among them, preparing and sharing food. Both of our children understood this passion for unassuming hospitality and welcoming. To say that Megan "loved to cook" misrepresents something much more profound: her care for other people, for making a clear space (her mise-en-place) to anticipate what people would like and then engage in the stirring, whipping, and savoring of gifts of loving to share with others. I will so miss baking with Megan because it was such a shared, intimate caring space for demonstrating love for others.