On Saturday, May 24^th, my mother, Dora Castillo passed away to be with her Lord and Savior. 

In March 2008 my mother found out she had stomach cancer.  My first thought was "Why her?"  This is a woman of God, a faithful servant, the prayer warrior.    But in life, there is always a lesson to be learned from each situation.

My mother worked in the hospital over 30 years as a caregiver. Many of her patients had cancer.  As employees of the hospital you are not allowed to pray with the patients, but somehow she found a way and would pray with them with their permission.  During her busy day she would take the time to visit and comfort the patients because some were alone in the world or family would not visit.  She was full of compassion, love and kindness.  

It was very hard for us to see this woman of great faith NOT CRY during her last two months.  When her pastor visited her in the hospital, she said to him, "I told my family not to cry for me because I am going to a better place".  She gave our family the strength to keep it together.  Of course, we all cried, but privately.  My mother remained faithful and continued to go to church until the end.  She was not going to stop living and serving just because she had cancer. 

For weeks my mother had been against having a medical bed and morphine.  As a caregiver she knew that once you got the medication you would be in and out.  In her last week we asked if she wanted the bed and she said "Yes".  It was her sign to us "I'm Ready".  

The week she passed she pointed to me to sit down next to her and held my hand.  As I looked into her glazed eyes I knew something was different.  I held the tears back, until her favorite song played on XM Radio titled "Sanctuary".  When she tried to sing along she was gasping for air to say the words.  I turned my face to sing with her and let the tears go.  It was apparent my mother knew she was going to be with the Lord soon.

The night before she passed we called everyone so they could have their last words with her.  The next morning at 9:45AM she took her last breath with ease and peace was written all over her face. 

My mother had everything planned.  She picked out her casket, flowers, preachers, songs and the preacher's message, which was SALVATION.  She wanted a celebration and a celebration is what she got.  There were over 400 people at her service.  I had the privilege of playing a song I wrote that was inspired by my mother titled "Live for Today". 

In April 2008 my mother and I had a conversation regarding miracles and life in general.  We talked about how some never get the chance to tell someone they love them or forgive them for a wrong doing.  They wait until it's too late and live to regret it.  Don't live so far out into the future that you forget about the blessings in front of you today.  Love your children, family and friends that have been given to you.  LIVE FOR TODAY!!   I had the privilege to sing the song to my mother and family a cappella on Mother's Day.   With some help from my friends I was able to record the song and play it during her funeral service.  Sean, THANK U for the music!

THANK YOU MOTHER FOR BEING SUCH AN INSPIRATION AND FOOTPRINT FOR YOUR FAMILY TO FOLLOW.  YOU ARE A LEGACY FOR SURE AND TOGETHER WE WILL TRY TO FILL YOUR SHOES AND CONTINUE YOUR LOVE AND MINISTRY AS PRAYER WARRIORS.

What was the lesson I learned?  It was to live each day like it's my last, to love like there's no tomorrow and forgive until the sun goes down.