InfinitaPaciencia
14th August 2004, 00:45
Im Joanne, dubbed Infinita Paciencia because I have dealt with crazy things in my life. My grandfather was one of many lost during La Revolucion...but I did not even know I had a father till a little over a year ago.
I met Fidel when I was 12 on August 24, 1998...He went to my town (Bani) in the Dominican Republic...the town where Maximo Gomez, a man who fought and shed blood during Cuba's Independance, was born. That day we all got together, the whole town in front of the "Ayuntamiento" (Town Hall) and listened to his two hour speech. I didn't understand half of it, but he was the first orator of sorts that I sat through entirely and did not fall asleep. The sun was hot that day and I could see him sweating. It made him look human. Throughout that speech he exaulted Maximo Gomez and then presented the city with a replica of the Machete which Maximo Gomez faught with during the Liberation of Cuba. We then presented him with the Key of the Town and gave him a plaque honoring Him as a distinguished guest.
But I did not miss the other things he spoke about in that rather short speech, for Fidel is more than well know to speak for more than 2 hours to an eager croud. He spoke of unity and solidarity amongst the Islands of the Caribbean against the great threat of the North. He also encouraged us to keep fighting.
"Luchar hasta que el mundo sea una gran patria donde todos los seres humanos tengan derecho al progreso y a la vida."
This is my experience. I never knew my grandfather's name. I knew he was Cubano, my mother wouldn't tell me his name. But even then, in 1998, I didn't know that my grandfather fell with the words "Viva la Revolucion" on his lips, I was looking at this aged man and I loved him...now I know why.
I met Fidel when I was 12 on August 24, 1998...He went to my town (Bani) in the Dominican Republic...the town where Maximo Gomez, a man who fought and shed blood during Cuba's Independance, was born. That day we all got together, the whole town in front of the "Ayuntamiento" (Town Hall) and listened to his two hour speech. I didn't understand half of it, but he was the first orator of sorts that I sat through entirely and did not fall asleep. The sun was hot that day and I could see him sweating. It made him look human. Throughout that speech he exaulted Maximo Gomez and then presented the city with a replica of the Machete which Maximo Gomez faught with during the Liberation of Cuba. We then presented him with the Key of the Town and gave him a plaque honoring Him as a distinguished guest.
But I did not miss the other things he spoke about in that rather short speech, for Fidel is more than well know to speak for more than 2 hours to an eager croud. He spoke of unity and solidarity amongst the Islands of the Caribbean against the great threat of the North. He also encouraged us to keep fighting.
"Luchar hasta que el mundo sea una gran patria donde todos los seres humanos tengan derecho al progreso y a la vida."
This is my experience. I never knew my grandfather's name. I knew he was Cubano, my mother wouldn't tell me his name. But even then, in 1998, I didn't know that my grandfather fell with the words "Viva la Revolucion" on his lips, I was looking at this aged man and I loved him...now I know why.