Marta here: I first met Christina, author of The Red Umbrella, a couple of years ago at Cuba Nostalgia in Miami. My first impression of her was that she was "the real deal." She cares deeply about her subject matter because, in the case of The Red Umbrella, it is very close to her family's story. She has been gracious enough to share her inspiration for writing this beautiful novel.
by Christina Diaz Gonzalez
Technically, I can’t say or write about “Cuando Sali de Cuba” as I have never been to the island. However, since I was a little girl, I have been hearing stories of how my parents left Cuba through Operation Pedro Pan.
The heartbreak of saying goodbye at the airport’s pecera, the pain of leaving everything behind and the fear of an unknown future in a foreign country was repeated countless times. Yet, the magnitude of this exodus of children was lost on me. Growing up I would roll my eyes whenever the topic was brought up. To me, it was old news. In fact, we all have those family stories that we so often take for granted until those who tell the tales are no longer with us. Thankfully, I had a wake-up call before it was too late.
I was an aspiring writer searching for inspiration to write my first novel. It wasn’t until I heard another author talking about her book (Erika’s Story written by Ruth Vander Zee) that I realized the powerful story that I had within my own family which was being lost to the sands of time.
I saw that if my own kids didn’t grasp this important part of American history (over 14,000 Cuban children being sent to the U.S., by themselves, is a HUGE part of American history… not just Cuban-American history), how could I expect others, who didn’t have a family connection, to even know about Operation Pedro Pan?
That’s when I decided to write The Red Umbrella. I guess this was, in a way, my “Cuando Sali de Cuba” moment because I gained a deeper understanding of what it was like for these children of Operation Pedro Pan to leave their home, their parents, their friends. I tried to imagine myself being placed into those circumstances and then I put my main character, Lucia, into similar situations.
It has been with great joy that I have received countless emails and comments from many Operation Pedro Pan kids saying that they are grateful that their story is finally being shared with a new generation. I am so very proud to have had a small part in sharing their “Cuando Sali de Cuba” story.
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MBFCF Readers, please say hello to Christina Diaz Gonzalez. I was personally floored when I read her debut, The Red Umbrella. She so perfectly captured the conflicts and fears of what it must have been like for an unaccompanied minor to come to a new country and how they might react in that frightening and difficult situation. She is as talented as she is lovely.
Christina has recently completed her 2nd novel, A Thunderous Whisper, set in the sleepy Spanish town of Guernica during World War II.
MBFCF Blogiversary Giveaway #4:
The Red Umbrella and A Thunderous Whisper (both autographed by the author)
One person will win both books, autographed by Christina. Please leave a comment on this post for a chance to win the books. Answer one or both of the following questions:
- Do you know (or are you related to) any Pedro Pans?
- Did you ever have your own "Cuando Sali de Cuba" moment? (The realization of what an enormous thing had happened to your family.)
I'll choose a winner at the end of MBFCF Blogiversary Giveaway Week on Monday, October 8th, 2012 at 11 am.
My father is a Pedro Pan.
Unfortunately, my “cuando salí de Cuba moment” came too late. As in my father’s death bed late.He was bedridden due to a paralyzing stroke, and called me to his side one day. “Papi”, he said (yes, he called his only daughter papi) “cuando se muera Fidel” (famous last words of many, many exiled cubans) anyways…”When Fidel dies, you have to go back to Cuba and claim what is yours. You have a shipping company to claim. And my mother’s house in Santiago…and…” he kept on and on making a list of what I should claim when I “returned” (I was born in the US, and never been to Cuba…)
I was very pregnant (about to burst), tired, dog tired from caring for him at home, and from running after my 1 year old. And to hear the story, yet again, was soooo not interesting right then. So I kind of turned off my brain and went into la-la land. Unfortunately, that was one of the last conversations we had. He died a week later. So his stories went with him.
As for Pedro Pans, I knew about them growing up. Mom had pictures of two little girls that were taken in by a couple in Yakima, Wash. This was before I was born. But later on, when I was old enough to understand, I was flabbergasted at the thought of two little girls, leaving tropical Cuba for rainy, cold Washington!! What a culture shock!! Different language, different family, different climate…
Yes I have known several “Peter Pan” children….there stories are heartbreaking.”Cuando sali de Cuba” stories hit the hardest after having children of my own. Would I have the strength & courage to do what so many parents, including my own, had to do when Castro took over ?
My mother-in-law is Pedro Pan. Don’t put me in the contest, since I have Christina’s books already. Just wanted to chime in and agree with you. She is the real deal! Love you both!
Yes i know several “Peter pan people”Their stories had made me cried many times.
I have my own “Cuando sali de Cuba moment,” that I will share with you one of these days.
I remember when I was in Cuba still in the early 60’s some of our neighbors boys left as Pedro Pans, and I have also have met some Pedro Pans here in Southern California. What a sadness that must be to leave your parents behind to the unknown and uncertain, not knowing anyone, not knowing the language and hoping that you some day will see your parents again. My heart breaks just thinking about it. What a courage of those parents to send their children before them.I do have a “Cuando sali de Cuba moment” and story that will share with you one of these days.
My dad and aunt were not Pedro Pans – my grandparents had considered it, but ultimately wanted the family to stay together, even amongst the craziness.”The Red Umbrella” was such a good read. Incidentally, I don’t live far from Grand Island these days.
My husband’s family, at least immediate family, were not pedro pans. But, they still left Cuba right before and not too long after Castro’s regime took hold. Papa came in the 50’s with help of Baptist missionaries to go to Bible college, with the idea he would return to Cuba and spread the gospel. Instead, he married Mama and persued citizenship. He went with Mama and their first child back to Cuba to get the needed paperwork as his student visa was ending and he wanted full citizenship, and this was right as Castro was closing down Havana’s airport. Papa and Mama and Becky made it out on the last successful flight to the US from Havana.Meanwhile, Papa’s brother was imprisoned by Castro, as a political prisoner for not speaking kindly of Castro. He spent 10 years in Castro’s prisons, and there became a Christian by way of a pastor who was imprisoned along side him. Tio’s family (Tia and hijos) came to the US when he was released from prison and exiled to the US. Another brother came soom after as well, with his family. Various cousins came via boats as well.
My hubby is American born, Cuban, and the only leg of the family that is not in Miami/Hialeah. We try to teach the kids about their Cuban heritage, about how the family back on the island live, and Papa tells stories about Cuba often. We are in Kansas, far from Miami and the family, but thankfully by Facebook we have been able to be in contact and share joys and life.
I am a Pedro Pan arriving at age 10. I did not have my ‘cuando sali de Cuba’ moment till 3 years ago. Unfortunately, my dad had already passed and I regret that I was not able to tell him how I appreciated his, as well as my mother’s, sacrifice.BTW, the two little girls most probably are Estrella and Mercy (Mercedes) Rodriguez that now reside in the Orlando area.
My brothers were Pedro Pans. My parents had planned to send me with my brothers, but since I was so young and for unknown reasons my mother included me (with her) in her passport thereby making it impossible for me to travel alone. In hindsight, I’m so glad that happened. I’ve read so many sad stories of Pedro Panes in the U.S. and I guess this was one of my Cuando Sali de Cuba moments!On a side note, I would love to read her book about Guernica. My parents were originally from Spain and I grew up hearing about the Spanish civil war and the massacre at Guernica.
Wonderful discussion. I guess I feel a bit like this when my friends and I talk about growing up in Mississippi during the 60s and not really realizing or understanding the history swirling around us until much later. But we need for kids to understand and relate to this history. Thanks for sharing Christina’s books!
I don’t know and I’m not related to any Pedro Pans. But I do know my husband’s story of being born in Cuba in 1983 and leaving to come to Canada in 2006. I’ve always told him that he should write down what it was like to live in Cuba in the eighties and nineties and the struggles..and the continued struggles.Thank you for sharing Christina’s books!
I don’t personally know anyone who was a Pedro Pan, but I do have one of those “aha moments” of cuando sali de Cuba. My parents and siblings left Cuba in 1969, I was born here and as a child I had always heard them talk about it. I have always appreciated the sacrifice they made for me “la gringita de la familia”. My father spent a year in half working in the fields paying his “dues” to be able to leave with his wife and three children. My mother was ridiculed every day, eggs were thrown at her people called her names…mostly “gusana”. I remember my mom crying all the time and I would ask her why over and over again. Her response was…I miss my mother, my country. It was 13 years before she could see her again. I lived that moment, the embrace of mother and daughter, the tears it was one I will never forget. Every time I think about their story it brings tears to my eyes, a lump to my throat. Their sacrifice for me the child yet to be born and their three small children is one I will spend the rest of my life being grateful for. I love the USA and although I was not born in Cuba I love it too, almost as much as my parents. Maybe one day I can travel there and see my roots.
My uncle was a Pedro Pan. He came to the States because my grandmother was horrified he’d be sent off to Russia. He was fortunate to live with relatives who had immigrated to the States from Cuba themselves. It took my mother and her family a few more years to be able to leave in the later ’60s, when my uncle “claimed” them as his family. My grandmother was able to preserve our family’s photographic history by sending the family photographs, a few at a time, to my adolescent uncle. When my mother and her family left Cuba, they could barely bring anything with them, so thankfully, my grandmother’s foresight saved many marvelous family photographs. I remember looking through them with my mother over the years and relishing all the stories about life on the island.I can also remember being fascinated by my mother’s Cuban passport, which she saved, that had a giant red NULO stamped across the pages. With one stamp, she and her family suddenly became citizens of nowhere and were disowned by their country. What a brave thing Cubans did, uprooting for a better life and still carrying their love for Cuba in their hearts, even as Cuba officially disowned them.
These books both look amazing and personally interesting to me. My father grew up in Spain during the Spanish Civil War and World War II, so the topics of both these books are fascinating for me. So lovely to read Christina’s story and I look forward to reading her books, whether or not I win the contest! 🙂
I am a Pedro Pan child. My “Cuando Sali de Cuba” moment happened very shortly after my arrival in the United States, because I was abused by both the male and the female in the family I had to stay with. This was a very dark period in my life. I am now 62 years old and the emotional scars remain raw to this day. I will read The Red Umbrella for sure.
I am not related and do not know any Pedro Pans. My father’s family left before Castro, so their “story” is very different. I have enjoyed reading the postings others have written here.
Thanks Susy. I will ask my mom if those were their names. I am sure she will be happy to know they are doing well.
CUANDO SALI DE CUBA EN MI CUMPLEANOS, 13 ANOS, 7/19/54…FUE EL SEGUNDO INTENTO DE VIAJAR A MIAMI.. LA SEMANA ANTERIOR, NOS DESPEDINOS DE TODOS, MUCHAS LAGRIMAS Y ABRAZOS Y BESOS…PASAMOS LA NOCHE ENTERA EN EL AREOPUERTO Y NOS DIJERON POR LA MADRUGADA QUE NO HABIA ASIENTO PARA NOSOTROS, UNA FAMILIA DE 5.. COJIMOS UN CARRO DE ALQUILER Y NOS FUIMOS PARA LA VIVORA, A CASA DE TIO PEPE, QUE PAGO AL CHOFER.LA SEMANA ENTRANTE, POR FIN NOS DIERON VUELO Y ESTA VEZ, EL DESPIDO DE NUEVO, FUE ALEGRE. TENGO MUCHO MAS QUE CONTAR, PERO NO AHORA…GRACIAS POR DARNOS UN SITIO DONDE PODEMOS DESCARGAR.. ILEANA
Awesome post.I think The Red Umbrella is a must read for anyone with Cuban parents.
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Marta , thank you for giving the inspiration and the push I need it.Sharing it on your blog gives my daughters to know how it all really happen. It was very painful bringing back all those memories that I have been trying to hide but after doing it has brought some kind of relief , looking back on time I can’t believe we went through it.
As Cuban we know exactly what it means.
I am a Pedro Pan. I came here in Feb. 1962 at the age of 14. It was a very sad and hard time for me. I remember I wrote to my mother telling her that I would never do to my child what she had done to me by sending me here. Later when I was finally reunited with my family after 5 years, I asked for my mother’s forgiveness since by then I realized the great sacrifice she had done for me. I feel that in spite of everything I have had a very blessed life and even though I grew up too soon that taught me a lot and helped me be the person I am today.
I have not been back to Cuba nor do I intent to do so, but I feel very Cuban. I have kept Cuba and its culture in my heart and life and have passed down that love to my children, even though we have never lived amongst Spanish speakers. Now I live in a small town in NC, and right here there are two other Peter Pan children. Small world.