Happy Friday--with a twist - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

BENZ-LGB · #1 09-26-2007, 05:05 PM

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.

CUANDO SALI DE CUBA

Nunca podré morirme,
mi corazón no lo tengo aquí.
Alguien me está esperando,
me está aguardando que vuelva aquí.

Cuando salí de Cuba,
dejé mi vida dejé mi amor.
Cuando salí de Cuba,
dejé enterrado mi corazón.

Late y sigue latiendo
porque la tierra vida le da,
pero llegará un dia
en que mi mano te alcanzará.

Cuando...

Una triste tormenta
te está azotando sin descansar
pero el sol de tus hijos
pronto la calma te hará alcanzar

Cuando...

Cuando...

Deje enterrado mi corazón,
mi corazón, mi corazón.

Translation...

WHEN I LEFT CUBA

I will never be able to die,
I do not have my heart here.
Something is waiting for me,
It is waiting for my return.

When I left Cuba,
I left my life I left my love.
When I left Cuba,
I left buried my heart.

It never stops beating, calling out to me
Because the soil sustains it life,
But the day will come,
When my hand will reach you.

When…

A sad storm,
is whipping through your land not letting you rest
But your children's sun
will soon reach you and calm you once again.

When…

When…

I left my heart buried, my heart, my heart.

Dee8go · #2 09-26-2007, 05:10 PM

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

Do you still have your outboard motor pickup?

BENZ-LGB · #3 09-26-2007, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dee8go

Do you still have your outboard motor pickup?

Mistress · #4 09-26-2007, 09:10 PM

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?

t walgamuth · #5 09-26-2007, 11:44 PM

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

suginami · #6 09-27-2007, 12:17 AM

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

SwampYankee · #7 09-27-2007, 07:53 AM

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