Happy Friday--with a twist
 

This Friday my parents and I celebrate the 40th anniversary of our arrival in the U.S.

Celebrate is an odd word to describe how I feel about this milestone.

Celebrate because of the wonderful, new life that I have in the U.S. This country opened up its doors, and the people here opened up their hearts, to welcome a ragged group of Cuban refugees seeking a new life here.

Celebrate because life in the U.S., with all of its faults, warts, problems, issues, etc., is far better than life in other parts of the world (and I do speak with people from all over the world) and it is certainly far, far better than life under the castro regime would have ever been.

Celebrate because I met my wife here, had my children here and began my professional career here.

But just like survivors of the Holocaust feel guilt for surviving (and yet, in spite of what revisionists, and other haters, would like to believe the Holocaust did happen and it was probably far more horrible than we could ever imagine) I will always feel guilty that I was able to make it and escape the morally bankrupt and bloody clutches of Communism. Not a day goes by that I do not feel "survivor's guilt" and I think about the family members that we left behind. And not a day goes by that I do not feel guilty about not taking up arms against Communism.

Anyway, I have now lived in the U.S. for far longer time than I ever lived in Cuba. And although in my head and heart I am 100% American, in my soul I will always be Cubano!

Thanks for letting me get that off. Gracias.


Translation...

We're glad you came here, Ernesto. Congratulations on this fortieth anniversary!

Do you still have your outboard motor pickup?

:D :D :D

Oye El Jefe- I am with the skin of a goose after reading this. I remember when my dad was flying for Pan American and he flew the "freedom Flights" from Miami to Cuba on the weekends to get people out. I have tears now thinking about. I would go to asleepin and pray for his safe return. Many wonderful people came and a lady told me of how she smuggled her jewelry out by carving the heels out of her high heels and putting the jewerly in there. I feel like a Cuban in my soul because of how I grew up in Miami. When Raul takes over and I get my piloto license you and I will go there and listen to the music of the "Buena Vista social Club." But for now, we can settle to go to "la Caye Ocho" and hang out with the old men drinking cafe Cubano con espumito, wearing a guayabera shirt, with bermuda shorts (striped), knees socks and chankletas. And we will play dominos and smoke a big tobacco. I forgot we have to wear a straw hat. You can take the Cuban out of Cuba but you no can take Cuba out of the Cuban. Buena suete Mi sosio and compadra, mi sangremia. Congrats Ernesto I am glad I know you and glad your here!
Did you see that movie "Havanna" with Robert Redford and Raul Julia?

Ernesto,
don't feel bad, hombre. The folks who left like yourself would have had a big problem if they stayed. Fighting would have been suicide.

I bet most folks there aren't all that unhappy with their lives.

What do I know? Nothing. I suppose a lot were killed that couldn't get out.

Anyway, don't feel guilty for getting out.

This is still the land of opportunity.

Although born and raised here, I still feel very very lucky myself.

Tom W

I'm sure glad you and your family are here and became one of us. :)

What a fine American you are, Ernesto, and such a credit to this country.
Your experience taught you to appreciate the meaning of freedom in a way that many of us native born folks here don't understand because we take it for granted.

I would truly look forward to meeting you some day!! It would be an honor.

Perhaps one day Cuba will be free of communism and you will be able to return in triumph. I simply cannot imagine how difficult it must have been for your family to have fled from there when you were young. Certainly the resentment against Castro for having forced iyour leave taking is most understandable.

A few years ago I actually contemplated a vacation there, drawn by the idea of seeing a place unique in Latin America, and frankly, a chance to view old Habana, Cienfuegos, and some of the other old cities frozen in time, and to enjoy seeing all the old American cars I woul d recognize as a child. It could have been done easily enough, by simply starting from Cancun or Canada. Supposedly the "aduanas cubanos" co operate with the tourists by not stamping their passports either coming to or going from Cuba, so American customs officials wouldn't get in a tizzy about it.

In the end, though, I felt conflicted about lending support in any way by to a dictator I did not like and do not support, and felt I might have been tangentially supporting that regime if I went. So I did not go.

Your chance to visit may come sooner than you think; the old regime may be on its last legs. Fidel and Raul will not live forever. I have no love for it, as the Cuban missile crisis of 1962 and Castro's complicity in it disturbs me greatly to this day, as an American. Not to mention the Marielito invasion and the other horrors and injustices that are on his hands.

Have fun in your celebration. Your pals here wish you well. Derfinately a time for a whole lot more than just one mojito to be enjoyed!!!

My late (German-American) father always used to say to us "Buen corazon trae buena ventura"

Congrats, Ernesto.

We're better off here in the US because folks like yourself choose to live here.

Don't worry though, it's only a matter of time before Cuba is again open and free; and not too much longer, I think.

That is nice to imagine, but I wouldn't hold my breath on it.

Tom W

Congrats, Ernesto, you and your parents have every reason to celebrate! But I can understand your reasons for feeling a bittersweet about it.