March 23, 2006
A much needed Cubanism
Some of you may have noticed a bit of anger and frustration showing through the words of this blogger lately. I do my best to maintain sanity. To maintain my composure despite all the bad news and frustrating events that seem to keep piling up. I try to keep calm, address issues with a modicum of civility, but that Cuban in me, that Cuban in me sometimes just flares with passion. So much so that I sometimes just want to scream, grab the damned computer and bash it to bits.
But I have a remedy for it. When the all the news and events seem so overwhelming, so frustrating and I begin to feel the anger and futility are getting the best of me, I go have something to eat.
Im not talking about sitting in front of a tv watching old movies with a big spoon and a gallon of Heavenly Hash ice cream. Im talking about a full meal. A meal I can only get one place. Made specifically for me by the person that made me.
When everything seems like shit all around, I can always count on the purity of my parents home. The house will always be meticulously clean, the furniture will be perfectly in place. The pictures on the walls of family will always comfort. The floors will creak in the same spots that theyve creaked since I was a kid.
And the home will always smell like love. Love coming from the kitchen.
Which brings me to the aforementioned Cubanism.
I'll be at my wits end with stress and somehow I always pick up the phone and call home. "Mami," Ill say after the usual greetings. "Que haces?" Whatcha doin', Mom?
And Mami, who knows her son better than he knows himself will say, simply "Que? Quieres venir a pegar la gorra?"
Pegar la gorra. Hang your hat. Today's Cubanism meaning "Im coming over and hanging my hat while I eat at your place."
I hung my hat today and I'm full, I'm cleansed, and I'm ready to kick ass.
Gracias, Mami.
Posted by Val Prieto at March 23, 2006 01:15 PM
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Comments
You? Angry and frustrated? I thought that described me! Welcome to the party, pal!
Posted by: George L. Moneo ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.babalublog.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at March 23, 2006 02:17 PM
You are one lucky man, Val Prieto, and I hope that you will remember this assertion each and every time that you feel "down."
A few weeks ago, I was privileged enough to visit Miami and be accepted into that refuge of love that is your parents' house in Grapeland Heights.
In no time at all, while I was there, I felt loved, I felt appreciated. She made Cuban coffee for me. He took me on a quick tour to show me some of the beautiful ironwork he has done. To meet your uncle and his wonderful wife.
Your parents showed me their garden. They showed me the beautiful painting of Tia Amanda by the entrance of the house. They showed me the "killer truck" that tried to do in your dad.
And I felt loved, in a way that this orphan has not felt for a long, long time.
So rejoice. You still have those wonderful "viejos" loving you each and every day.
And everything else... will work out. Ten fe.
I do, even when I'm feeling at my worst.
JulioZ
Posted by: Jzangroniz at March 23, 2006 02:22 PM
Julio, you've made me cry. We are a lucky family indeed. =)
Posted by: AmandaD at March 23, 2006 02:27 PM
Val, Welcome back from the dark side, gracias señora Prieto.
Posted by: Ziva at March 23, 2006 02:49 PM
Ay Val, you are lucky indeed. I have such a place my spouse and I both retreat to when things get bad - Mami's cousin in NJ.
Too bad we are not close enough to run away on a weekly basis!
Posted by: La Ventanita at March 23, 2006 03:42 PM
Coño Val! That's great news. People count on you and we can't have you demoralized and down. George I think you need to get over to Mama Prieto's house and have her cook for you too because you've been more sour than the month old milk in my refrigidaire!
Posted by: conductor at March 23, 2006 04:01 PM
Bah humbug.
Posted by: George L. Moneo at March 23, 2006 04:30 PM
LOL!
Posted by: La Ventanita at March 23, 2006 04:45 PM
"Pegar" in another context means to hit, strike, or collide, doesn't it? I mean if you were driving a great big car way too fast (for example) and fidel happened to be standing in front of it (somehow) wouldn't the onlookers be yelling something like "pegale?"
Posted by: Murel Bailey at March 23, 2006 06:35 PM
Que lindo, Val. You write about such beautiful things so beautifully indeed. No one can match you.
Posted by: A.M. Mora y Leon at March 24, 2006 01:37 AM
Val,
Thanks for the nice words. I feel the same when I visit my folks. One must remember what they must have gone through, losing everything to that monster, then coming here to a totally different culture, different language, life uprooted and succeeding gloriously in spite of it all raising children no less.
God bless 'em.
Posted by: Max at March 24, 2006 06:51 AM
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