by Don and Margaret Wiltshire
The new year ahead often starts with a look back at the year just passed. I like to give the year before an evaluation based on my experiences. Subjectively, I think of all the good I have experienced and the bad.
Even at the end of a difficult year, one can be grateful they survived and are facing new possibilities. As it is said, “a better tomorrow” may be, well, “a day away”. If you think you will be here tomorrow, you are lucky. If you know you are passing, you may also be lucky, depending on your beliefs and experiences.
Anyway, January 1 is the marker we use to define a set of experiences. As good as any.
This January, Don and I have lived in Magdalena a decade and much of a year. I mention this because again this year Magdalena itself played a major part in my yearly “evaluation.” Once again “Magdalena” made my life experience a good one.
Magdalena thank you.
First I thought of all the people who worked so hard, who were so full of heart from before Thanksgiving right through the holidays. The sharing of love, care, food and gifts in families, among friends, and the wonderful organizations we have. From the Town Hall, Fire house, Marshal’s office, the Samaritan Center and churches and others. Such a small village, such a grand heart.
Then I thought of all the good things so many of you did before the holidays. The village that actually works to be there for people. Magdalena may not be unique, or could be, I can’t say. What I do know is how valuable you are. That you are home.
In another village a serious distance from Magdalena, life is different and yet similar. Our youngest daughter and oldest grandchild, Rebecca and Ixchel, have been spending their holidays in a small village in Cuba. Invited by a Cuban friend who now lives and works in Guatemala they are staying with his family.
It’s a small house, about 800 square feet. That’s just about the size of our home and many of the early houses of Magdalena.
For these holidays the house is home to 6 adults and 4 children.
The mother is up at dawn each day and to bed late each evening doing just about everything with few electronic helpers. She has a blender and uses it to make her own mayonnaise and butter. Laundry is done by hand as are all the other daily chores. It is more then a full day’s work.
The Christmas eve dinner was pork, yucca, fried plantains, beans and rice. For dessert, green papaya was cooked in lots of sugar. Generally the Cuban diet revolves around pork.
Since the “revolution” eating beef has been illegal and carries a hefty fine. I assume Cows are being protected for the making of milk, butter and cheese.
With the embargo, not a lot of food is imported.
Since farmers earn the same no matter what they produce, they produce fewer vegetables that are labor intensive. Cabbage, carrots and onions, a little corn and yucca are the main vegetables.
Everything gets used till it totally breaks down and then it is saved to recycle in another way.
“The Embargo” is the catch-all excuse for anything and everything the government doesn’t want to do. Many Cubans wonder how long the government would last without “The Embargo” to cover failures.
One thing they wouldn’t give up is their Health Care program. Twice as good as ours at much less cost. In terms of survival, it is one thing they don’t have to worry about.
I have heard nothing of a Christmas as most Americans know it.
However, in this village in Cuba, like Magdalena, caring for family, friends and one another is primary.
I give THANKS for it all and for the opportunity to share this new year.
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