And that's exactly what happened, I kept growing up and getting more and more mature. Bill and I fell in love and I got married. I became a stepmother to Miro and then I became a Mother to Natalie and Diego. This finally helped me understand what being a parent really was. The more I thought about how important my children are for me the more I understood how important I was for my Dad and how important he was for me. My dream was to visit Cuba so our children could meet their Grandpa for the first time. The visit took place in 2006 and it was magic. Natalie and Diego fell in love with my Dad, with his sense of humor and his happy personality. They never saw him as a stranger, from day number one.
But then we had to come back to the USA and the distance kept us apart again. Cuba and the USA have had a bad relationship since the Cuban Revolution in 1959 so it's extremely difficult to have a normal communication with your relatives in the island. The time that we spent with my Dad in 2006 was extremely important but kids grow so fast, it's hard for them to remember people who don't interact with them often. My Dad applied for a visa to visit the USA but the visa was denied. That was so painful. Now that I was ready to open up my heart to my Dad completely we weren't able to see each other. My brother Alex sent a second invitation and fortunately that time the visa was aproved. But a day before his flight Dad had to cancel his trip and go to the hospital instead where he had an urgent surgery. It was a nightmare. My brother Alex and I thought that my Dad wasn't going to make it, due to an infection that he had gotten after the surgery. I couldn't sleep well during those dark days, as you can imagine.
(I will publish the last post about this story tomorrow)
i can't wait for the last post and I thank you so much for sharing this story of patience and love enduring great distance and barriers.
Posted by: margaret Oomen | January 28, 2010 at 03:59 AM
I have truly enjoyed your story of love and loss and growing up and love found. That last illustration is absolutely beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Mim | January 28, 2010 at 04:22 AM
I so enjoyed your illustrated family love story!!
What a blessing and precious gift for you and your
family to have this time to share with your Dad!!
God Bless You and Yours!!!
Posted by: Flassie | January 29, 2010 at 08:00 AM