In a world marked by power outages and struggles, a Cuban man finds solace in laughter, reflecting on resilience and the enduring spirit of his community amidst adversity.
Another day without power. It’s a familiar reality for Father, who wakes up drenched in sweat. How many mornings can he endure this discomfort? The heat is relentless, and at his age, even the simplest tasks feel monumental.
Father knows the routine all too well. A trip to the bathroom, a quick wash of his face, and a rinse of his armpits in the sink—if only there was enough water to last. His wife, in the other room, is deep in prayer, her voice rising above the sound of the faucet.
“Gloria al Padre, al Hijo y al Espíritu Santo,” she chants, her fervent prayers echoing in the dim light of their candle-lit home. Despite the oppressive heat, she remains still, a bronzed figure beneath the painting of Jesus. Sweat beads cling to her curls, yet she shows no sign of moving.
Father contemplates approaching her, but the last time he did, she slapped him and cursed. She dislikes interruptions during her prayers, a lesson he learned after more than forty years of marriage. Yet, his heart aches to help her, even if his efforts often fall short.
What does Father truly know about help? After years spent in a hospital, he now faces the grim reality that the facility only accepts patients on the brink of death. Power outages have crippled their ability to provide care, leaving even the most critical patients vulnerable.
He wonders if the Americans want them to perish. Some Cubans living in the United States seem to believe that cutting off resources is for the best. Have they forgotten their roots? Politicians live in comfort, insulated from the struggles of ordinary citizens, while families like his endure weeks without electricity.
Fatigue washes over him. Despite a full night’s sleep, he struggles to keep his eyes open, the heat and dehydration weighing him down. He attempts to sit at the dining table, but nearly misses the chair. He knows this home too well, having lived in it for decades, yet the darkness makes it difficult to navigate.
As he settles into the chair, discomfort shoots through him. At his age, a fall could lead to serious injury, and with no surgeons available on the island, he would be left to suffer in silence. He would have to rely on expired medications and whatever water he could find.
“¿Amor, por qué te ríes?” His wife’s voice breaks through his thoughts, a mix of concern and curiosity. Perhaps she thinks he’s lost his mind. He can’t help but laugh, the sound echoing in the stillness.
Her approach brings the scent of sweat closer, and he can make out the frills of her nightgown and the dark curls of her hair. Fear and confusion flicker across her face, which only makes him laugh harder. The laughter is infectious, a release from the weight of their circumstances.
As she murmurs something he can’t quite catch, she picks up a candle and heads to the kitchen. Father wonders what she can possibly cook in the dark, and the absurdity of it sends him into another fit of laughter, one that quickly turns into a cough.
“You’ve gone crazy,” she remarks, her tone half-serious.
“No, no, that’s not it,” he replies, trying to regain his composure.
The laughter subsides, and Father reflects on their situation. It’s a blackout, but one thing is clear: he is a Cuban who has endured much and will continue to persevere. A little darkness cannot extinguish the spirit of the Cuban people. If the United States believes that depriving them of electricity will break their will, they are in for a surprise.
In the face of adversity, Father finds strength in laughter, a testament to resilience in a world that often feels devoid of light.
According to GlobalNetNews.