Today I sat with Michael Castillo, my mother's brother, aka Uncle Mike, here in El Paso, Texas. He was a turboprop mechanic for the C-130 large cargo planes during his time as an Air Force Airman at Elemendorf Air Force Base, and went on to other avenues afterwards but always maintained a high level of attention to detail and he and my aunt stood strong for many of us in the family over the years.

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When I was 12 he and my Aunt Sandy allowed me to live with them in Anchorage, Alaska for my 6th grade year of school. It was an incredible experience that they and my Mom allowed me to have, and has since given me the courage to explore and seek out new places and experiences ever since.

I'm thankful to have such loving family that I can grow closer to now as an adult.