It’s been a while since I sat here, my own
imaginary pond, letting the cool, clear water cleanse my mind and the gentle breeze
blow away the dark spots…
I guess
it is time to travel there and let the calmness of this place invade my mind
and heart. It makes for better meandering than other, more harried corners I
can think of… I need it and, really, had not allowed myself to be transported
here in a quite a long time. This little respite –imaginary as it may be- becomes
an all important escape.
Sitting
here, staring at the mirror like surface, I see images form; they parade by,
claiming to be included in this reminiscence, avoiding a fall into a forgotten
pile somewhere in the dusty archives of the mind. Early childhood black and white
stills and short movies… the club, school, Sunday escapes with my cousins,
riding bicycle on the city streets… Going with my grandfather to his office;
going to the distillery to bug the employees … Christmas with all the family
gathered around a tree and the Nativity scene; New Year’s Eve eating grapes –led
by my grandmother- till my eyes bugged… girlfriend and schoolmates… Then, a child still, leaving
the country to start on a new journey into an unknown destiny…
New
friends to be made and a new world to explore and make mine. Trying to somehow fill he permanent void
left in our souls and hearts by family and friends we had to leave behind, in
many cases never to see again. Watching -over the years- a structured society
and a developed country totally crumble under a government which promised
heaven on earth, but has delivered hell instead. And now, watching the so many
concerted efforts to whitewash the social and physical carnage of these 5+
decades and to make believe this never existed. Business as usual to continue
under the heading of “new beginnings”.
My
concern is that many of us who remember what life in Cuba before the current “management”
was, know it to be a very different picture than is painted by the government there
and those here who want to promote business at all costs. As we get older and –yes-
die off, those memories will be regarded as the rumbling of old dinosaurs and
made to look false.
There is
nothing more than I would like to see happen that a true, honest opening of a
dialogue with true, honest results for the suffering people, not just the
government heavies. To see the same folks who think they will make money
dealing with a government notorious for not paying any debts, demand basic human
rights improvements as a condition… To see that ordinary folk can talk and
think without fear of reprisals, beatings or jail. To see that a future can be
carved again and eventually fill in this horrendous black hole that spans
almost 4 generations. That my grandnephews and their children can have hope
again, or even get to know the idea of hope for the future.
I know my
voice is small compared to the voice of the interested press and political
parties. But it will continue to sound off in the great spaces… If we all do
the same, maybe some true change may come to pass and then, even the “Che”
bathing suits will be acceptable… after all… all the wearer is doing is using
his face picture as a sitting pad.
Be Well … Be Back!!!
Final
Notes:
· Pray for those who are fighting an illness
which may take them away from their loved ones… Every request is heard, and
counts!!
· Follow us on Twitter … @RJAsPandora
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