My Life, My Culture

Born in Cuba

1970

Nothing has shaped my life as strongly as being born in a communist country and living there for eleven years. Growing up in a stagnant environment isolated from the outside world put my parents in survival mode, and I remember how difficult it was for them to keep my sister and me safe. Our personality traits, optimism, perseverance and resilience, are the product of this environment. This was significant because forty years later, my glass is always half full.

Memories of Hunger

1977

I remember a chicken lasting two dinners for a family of seven. I remember my mother and grandmother fighting over the wings and feet of the chicken as they always wanted to leave the bigger pieces for the children and working men. They never said it, but I knew. Unconsciously, selfless acts such as these molded how I see my family today. My parents adored us, and I now will do anything for them.

The First of Many Flights to Come

1981

I took a plane for the first time at age eleven. I traveled through five different countries that year. Each place was so distinctly unique and beautiful that I fell in love with nature. That period influenced the way I see the world, and over the years, I have traveled back to some of those countries. Each time I learn or experience something new.

Independence

1988

Being from such a close knit family, I felt I still had a lot of growing up to do after high school. I wanted to experience the world on my own, so I joined the Air Force and moved 3,000 miles away. This move was very significant, I now lived in a melting put of cultures and family upbringings. Though I learned to like and do new things, my family traditions still had a strong hold on me, and I continued to honor every birthday, family celebration, and cultural tradition I had learned.

Giving Back

1992

Being part of Habitat for Humanity was so much fun for me and all other volunteers. We worked together to help those in greater need. It allowed me to see the pockets of population who struggle to survive in a broken system. Many other types of volunteer opportunities grew from this experience.

My Everything

2003

Between 2003 and 2005, my husband and I had three amazing boys. Their wittiness, view of the world, and common sense amaze me everyday. I love seeing how once a year they reunited with distant cousins, some not really related, and they fit in as if they have lived in that cultural enclave all their lives. It is clear to me that I was put on this earth to be their mother. People like them will make Earth a better place.

Birthdays

2009

Birthdays mean road trips. Both my sister and I were born in the summer, so my parents made it extra special for us with a big birthday party and a trip to the beach. Since my children were born, we have been celebrating in a similar way. There is always breakfast in bed and a birthday cake, but we've added a trip to a country we've never visited with time to volunteer in the local community. I have learned that no matter where we live in the world, we can always find commonality with others.

Visiting India

2012

To a Westerner, India may seem like a sad place. The overpopulation, sexual inequality, and disproportion of wealth can all be overwhelming. But these are people with a tremendous history. Traveling has influenced me in many ways: it has allowed me to help others and bring light to local issues. Yet, nothing brings me more pleasure than sitting with new friends old, proud, and wise and listen to the stories about their past.

Love of Baseball

2015

I grew up in a country that loved baseball. My father played baseball when he was young and took me to many games as a teenager. Sharing that time with him was priceless. No matter how bad the Marlins became over the years, he was loyal to them. It was a tribe mentality and sense of community that kept him going to games. He bought my children their first baseball uniform. He certainly influenced and would be proud to see all three now playing for their high school team.

Volunteering

2019

My parents would take the shirt off their backs if someone else needed it more. Voluntarism was something that came naturally to them and passed on to me by example. I now participate in beach clean ups with my family one Saturday every month. This and all other family and cultural traditions have had a significant impact in my life because they keep us together as a family, and we, in a small way, get to contribute to our community.