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My Big Fat Cuban Family

My Big Fat Cuban Family

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Sit Long. Talk Much.

November 11, 2006 By Marta Darby 3 Comments

Pb107731 When you come to my home this is almost the first thing you’ll see.  Anyone who knows us, knows we really mean it.

The Bible talks about hospitality being a gift and that we should be eager to practice hospitality because as it says in Hebrews 13:2 –

"Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!"

I don’t know if this is a gift I’ve been given from God, but I do know (being an extrovert) that I get energized being with people.  I love it.  Maybe it’s my Cuban culture.  I have never been in a Cuban home where I haven’t felt at home. 

I think some of this might be inherited. My grandmother’s hospitality was legendary. Her home was always filled with friends and family.  My mother still, to this day, says her "walls are made to stretch."  Meaning there is always room for one more.

As I’m looking towards the holidays and the relational possibilities, I get excited.  If you’re in town, please call so we can make a place for you at our table.

I’ve always wanted to entertain angels.  I wonder if they like arroz con pollo.  😉

You might also like:

Mi casa es su casa Hospitality 101 I talk about Cuban food. A lot. Listen in. Let’s talk about “pressure”

Filed Under: Celebrate, Lifestyle, Mother's Day Tagged With: celebrate, Mother's Day

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Comments

  1. virginia says

    November 11, 2006 at 11:59 pm

    Thank you for your site. I am looking up information for a paper for class. I spend hours on the computer and find wonderful sites like your. I love Cuba and want to know so much more, right now I am research Jose Martí.Thank you for have a wonderful site.

    Reply
  2. Teresa Bevin says

    November 17, 2006 at 6:34 pm

    I remember that as a child in Cuba my life was filled with family and friends, staying long at the table and talking far into the night. It is a wonderful gift that Cubans have been given. Thank you for showing me that it continues!

    Reply
  3. keb says

    January 19, 2007 at 7:38 pm

    Oh that Luz! – walls made to stretch is excellent, right up there w/ “I’ve been bitten by that dog before.”

    Reply

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Deseándole mucha felicidad a nuestro querido @will Deseándole mucha felicidad a nuestro querido @willychirino por sus cumpleaños! 🎂LA friends: Don’t miss Willy at the Downey theatre on May 8th and 9th, 2026! Come celebrate with us! 🎉See you there! Ey-o Ey-o! 🕺🏼💃🏻#willychirino
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My family left Cuba in early 1961.My brother was My family left Cuba in early 1961.My brother was on the first Pedro Pan flight in December of 1960. Happily, my family was only separated for a few very tense months. But we were part of the lucky few who managed to leave the country rather quickly.Once reunited, my father vowed we’d never be separated again and so when my older sisters were to be married in California, he packed up the family and we never looked back.We lived in Miami for the first 3 years of our exile, before my parents moved us across the country, and so we made our lives in Southern California.As Cubans in California – “en el exilio del exilio” – we managed to find other Cuban families and connected with the familiar community of people who spoke our language and recognized our customs and our food.I’ve told the story of my family’s exile many times using whatever words the Lord sees fit to give my feeble brain.Tonight, I’m a white haired 70 year old grandmother (call me Wella😉) living in Southern California with the family my husband and I have created.My parents passed away years ago. (And I unabashedly miss them daily💔).What’s happening tonight (on the island that saw me born) is that the people have taken to the streets armed with nothing but pots and pans and have been banging them for 12 hours as of this writing, calling for “Libertad!”Who could believe we would actually see this day?
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