My family moved to the U.S. reluctantly. When we left Cuba, we didn't know we were coming here for good. I think that's a part of our story as Cuban refugees that doesn't get much play. When we left our beloved homeland, we (when I say "we," I mean, my parents) thought it was only a temporary stay until that whole pesky revolution thing blew ...
Cuban refugees
Remembering Papi. Resolviendo – Cuban style
My dad was an Electrical Engineer. A Cuban Engineer. Which made him brilliant and innovative with just a touch of Mad Scientist to him. When we first arrived in this country, someone had given us a very old, very used, five foot tall refrigerator. We were grateful to have it, since we arrived here with nothing. A gift of a large appliance, no ...
Cuando Sali de Cuba – Edilia’s Story
Marta here: My heart was aching as I first read Edilia's story. Imagine being a newlywed in Castro's Cuba and looking for a chance to get out and start a new life. By Edilia Beltran Pinero My full name is Josefa Edilia Beltran Bermudez de Pinero. I was 13 years old when Castro came into power. I did not understand much ...
Cuando Sali de Cuba – Silvia’s Story
Marta here: Silvia shares her story today forthe first time. It was very emotional for her to travel back in time to those last painful years her family spent waiting for the Freedom Flight that would bring them to the America. I'm grateful to Silvia's daughter, my online friend, Maribel, for convincing her mom to finally share her ...
La Virgen de La Caridad – A Personal History
September 8, 1961. My family had been in the U.S. for seven long months. There was still a longing for anything or anyone that reminded us of "home." We eagerly waited for news that the revolution had failed and that the new regime had fallen and that we would soon be heading back to all things familiar. The Catholic Archdiocese of ...
Cuando Sali de Cuba – Luis Felipe’s Story
Marta here. I started this series, Cuando Sali de Cuba, Stories of Courage and Hope in order to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month: Cuban-Style. I asked my readers to send me their stories about how their families left Cuba and how they ended up here in the U.S. As the stories began pouring in, I realized that this needed to be an ongoing series. ...
Cuando Sali de Cuba – Margaret’s Story
Marta here. Welcome to my ongoing celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month - Cuban Style with a series of stories about Cuban American families and how they ended up here in the U.S. Cuando Sali de Cuba, stories of courage and hope. Today's story comes from Margaret. She tells about the agonizing wait to leave Cuba and how her family was ...
Cuando Sali de Cuba – How We Became Marielitos – Gracie’s Story
Marta here: Welcome to my ongoing celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month: Cuban-Style with a series of stories about Cuban American families and how they ended up here in the U.S.: Cuando Sali de Cuba, stories of courage and hope. Today I want to introduce you to Gracie and her family, who left Cuba as part of the Mariel Boatlift in ...
Refugees. Not immigrants.
My dad would have been 114 today. (2024) It is his birthday. Although we celebrated so many wonderful birthdays with him, I distinctly remember the year he turned 50. Because it is stamped on a passport. And forever in my memory. My Cuban Passport I know it is stamped the 12th. But the flight didn't take off from Havana until after midnight. ...
