After an amazing day at the Nations Triathlon, David, Del and I load the car up and start heading south to their home in Richmond, VA. On the way we make a detour to visit his uncle who is in a nursing home. I was a bit concerned about 'my' being there but David said it would be more than fine and he was right. I was very touched and honored to be part of the visit.
We arrive in Richmond later that evening. I am greeted by my lovely daughter-in-law Gloria. She is gracious and warm giving me a wonderful hug and smile. Gloria is from Cuba so I can practice my Spanish while she works on her English - a win, win!
Monday morning I am up to see David before he leaves for school (he is a high school teacher, Spanish and the Success Program, will explain that later). I am going to spend the day with Gloria and am so looking forward to getting to know her. We head to her ESL class which is taught by Kitty, one of David's colleagues who retired recently.
Her class consists of people from various countries: China, Korea, Mexico, Cambodia, Cuba. Their language skills vary to some degree but those who speak English quite well have jobs in the public sector, practice makes perfect. When we have a break I begin to talk to this lovely young woman who has spent time in Vancouver, BC and had also been to Seattle. After a bit, she looks at me and asks why I am in the class, my English is so good! We did get a chuckle out of it when she realized I was just a 'visitor'.
Next, Kitty, Gloria and I go to a Cuban restaurant for lunch. The food and company were great but the conversation with one of the owners, Tico, was more than memorable. He is a friend of Gloria's and joined us at the table after we had eaten. In talking about Cuba, I asked him when and how he had come to the US. The story that followed was amazing.
Tico was probably in his late teens when he knew he couldn't live under the Castro regime any longer. At the last minute he went to his cousin and told him he was leaving that night. The two of them walked to the beach in the dark, passing his grandmothers house. She saw them take off their clothes, Tico tyeing one of his ankles to his cousin's ankle and walk in the water. That was the last time she saw either of them.
Their goal was to make it to international waters and then to Guantanamo. All the while realizing that the Cuban Navy was patrolling these waters to pick up and imprison anyone trying the swim. They could not use any flotation devices since it would have made them too visible. Tico had to pull his cousin to the surface several times to keep him from drowning, thereby saving them both. Eleven miles and two day's later they made it to US soil. Remarkable - I was overwhelmed thinking of the desperation that drove them and so many others to risk such a hazardous journey.
Tico's brother came a year to so later via the same route. They have managed to get that slice of the American dream through hard work and faith. Amazing men, amazing family.
Tuesday began my the rest of my week going to school with David each day. We have some very special plans for his students so watch for the next installment!
No comments:
Post a Comment