A Musical Blessing

I am a cradle Catholic, meaning that I was born and raised Catholic.  Religion and faith have always been involved in my life, but never in an exceptional way.  I cruised through my elementary and junior high years fine and at the minimal level of spirituality.  At the time, that was ok with me.  I had no desire to deepen my faith and increase my relationship with God.  That is, until one Sunday afternoon when I made the decision to join the teen choir at my church.  I had sat every Sunday in mass and listened to the plucking of guitar strings in beautiful patterns, and listened in awe of the angelic tones being released from the souls of the choir.  I wanted to be that.  I wanted to be a part of something so incredibly beautiful.  So, after mass that Sunday, I walked up to Tom Castillo, the leader of the group, and asked him if I would be able to join.  Without hesitation, he exclaimed, “We would love to have you!  We will order you a guitar!”  From this moment embarked a journey between Tom and me that I would have never imagined possible!

            Upon first meeting Tom and seeing what he is capable of, you would not assume the circumstances under which he is forced to live.  Tom went to school and played music throughout college.  He was offered a chance to tour with B.B. King and play saxophone in his band.  Unfortunately, circumstances had arrived in his life that did not allow for him to take this outstanding opportunity.  Then, several years ago, Tom was in a very bad accident.  To shorten the story, he has had to have way too many surgeries over the course of his life; one being the removal of a large portion of his brain.  The section of his brain that was removed was what controlled his short-term memory.  So, Tom suffers from short-term memory loss, and struggles with even the simplest things that you and I take for granted such as remembering the names of his grandchildren at first.  Being a musician, it is super important that you can remember your music in order to perform to the best of your ability.  But, despite his memory loss, Tom is by far the most amazing musician I have ever been blessed to know!  What he has been forced to overcome and persevere through in his lifetime is more than I could ever fathom happening to myself.  Tom is the true definition of perseverance.  Not only does he work diligently until he overcomes all of the struggles in his life, but he also takes life for what it is and lives by the motto, “everything happens for a reason”.  He shows me by example that although your life may not pan out the way that you had originally planned, greatness can still be your final result!             

Over the past several years of playing together, Tom and I have developed a pretty amazingly unique relationship.  We make the perfect duet and can always sense what the other is going to do next.  I am not sure if he realizes just how major of a role he has played in my life.  He prays for me in my weakest times.  He cheers for me in moments where I am in need of celebration.  And he guides me in the right direction for my life.  Tom Castillo is my inspiration when I get down.  He proves that no matter what you are faced with in your life, God’s plan for you is greater than the present obstacle.  Words cannot even begin to explain how much I will miss his constant companionship and guidance once I set off into the so-called “real world”.  He has been the key ingredient in the development of my faith and trust in God, and for that I am eternally grateful!     

Love Always,

Kylie K.