My name is Linda West, and I was born in Vietnam during the war. As a child, I was known as Oanh, and I lived with my beloved Ba Noi — my paternal grandmother — in a small island village surrounded by the Dong Nai River, rice paddies, the sounds of helicopters, and the quiet tension of a world in conflict.

In 1970, I immigrated to the United States because of the unwavering love my American stepfather had for my mother. I grew up here, raised a family, built a career — but the memories of my early life stayed tucked in my heart.

Years later, I began to write them down. Not because I thought of myself as a writer, but because I needed to give voice to the little girl I once was. That journey became my first book, Beyond the Rice Paddies.

Over time, as more memories returned and my heart grew stronger, I felt called to revisit the story. The result is Jasmine in the Wind — a revised and expanded edition, told with deeper feeling, more emotional truth, and still keeping it in the voice of that young girl, Oanh, who lived through it all with wide eyes and a quiet spirit.

This journey has also brought unexpected healing — not just for me, but for others. One of the most powerful moments in my life came from meeting a Vietnam veteran who told me:

“You changed my world in many ways. Thank you so very much for the gift you left in my heart that has helped me deal with my darkest times.”

That moment led to a friendship, a song, and a mission to keep sharing stories that bring connection and peace.

Today, I live in Arizona, surrounded by my children, grandchildren and my supportive husband. Through my book and speaking, I hope to offer something simple but lasting: a reminder that our stories matter — and that healing can come from the most unexpected places.