Tommy's Field

Book excerpt: A moving memoir that reminds us of the power of play to inspire, unite, and heal—and that sometimes what brings us the most pain can be the source of our greatest inspiration. In April 2018, Nikki and Doug Mark’s perfectly healthy twelve-year-old-son, Tommy, went to sleep one night and never woke up. They’re still not exactly sure why. Devastated, Nikki embarked on an unconventional journey to create a legacy for Tommy and to heal her heart. She created a plan to transform neglected land in a Los Angeles public park into a state-of-the-art athletic field, honoring Tommy’s love of soccer and sharing his spirit of play with others. After family, friends, and LA’s soccer community banded together to raise over a million dollars for the project, park neighbors resistant to change threatened to derail it. Throughout Nikki’s journey, a remarkable string of incidents convinced her that her recently departed son was guiding her through the process. Ultimately, Tommy’s enduring spirit and the beautiful game he loved taught her how to navigate the challenges she faced along the way.