D.L.

This is Coto, Ricardo, and the son of my cousin Isabel, Chabela and German.

Coto is family, and I can’t remember the last time I saw him. All I know is that it has been more than 35 years.

Ricardo Coto Messano is a musician and music producer. On Wednesday, while visiting a sea sanctuary with my dad and my daughter Emily, I invited Isabel, her husband German, and Coto to some Chilean empanadas near where they live.

Coto’s music has been heard in Germany, Spain, and other EU countries, and he is usually on tour.

He sat between my dad and me at “Empanadas las Deliciosas,” and then he told me that he was a musician because he was inspired as a boy watching me play my acoustic electric guitar and dreaming about playing that guitar! I was probably nineteen when I was living with my aunt, his granny, and I totally don’t remember him listening to me, and I don’t remember him asking me if he wanted to play!

Yet, something happened to him, and he decided to become a musician! He told me all that as we shared a cup of coffee with empanadas and wanted to thank me.

I was so moved. I did not know this, and I thank him for sharing his story with me. I am so proud of him and who he has become.
My daughter was next to me, and he shared all this in English so she could understand.
My heart was full and humble. I am sure our paths are going to cross again, and I am dreaming of the day we can both play and sing!

Gracias Coto for inspiring me to carry on!

German, my Dad and Coto