I knew her from references, from hearsay only, because, of course, she was always a renowned professor and researcher that everyone was talking about.

Then, in the 90’s of the last century, work brought us together. I was Deputy Director of Culture in the province, and she had just been appointed director of the Julio Antonio Mella Provincial Library. We attended meetings that dealt with dissimilar topics, in different places, but there was one that I remember as if it were today.

It was in the premises occupied by the Cadena Agramonte radio station, on Cisneros Street, where the provincial government used to be. She was there when I arrived, with her wavy and gray hair and her long skirt, as she wore at that time, and when she saw me she said: “… here we are, friend, the same combo”, a phrase that she often said and that since then, as everyone knows, I am a lover of the sayings, I added it to my arsenal and I use it in many circumstances. She meant that as there were so few and so many tasks, we had to always be there.

Our Elda

I’m talking about Elda Cento Gómez, Centico or Eldín, as people used to call her. That woman, who after so many twists and turns I found again to work together; but already in the Office of the Historian of Camagüey city, where she was at the forefront of historical research, work that she carried out until her retirement with excellent results. No longer in charge of that Department, but advising and guiding whatever matter was entrusted to her.

To tell…

I could tell all kinds of anecdotes, because I was lucky enough to experience them with her, some very pleasant, others not so much. There are humorous ones, as you can imagine when talking about her, since her sense of humor characterized her, as well as the polemic in almost every moment; but the pages would be innumerable, that is why I have decided to comment on some and others, only remember them.

Remembrance days

Her birthday in September was a day to not only congratulate her, but to laugh and talk a little bit. Without knowing that it would be the last, I called her to congratulate her, and it was then that I found out about her ailments in the last few months and we even made jokes; and I recommended her some other alternative medicine, that perhaps could alleviate those ailments.

Advice that I later learned she followed with satisfactory results, because she told me: “ Yiya – that’s the way she used to called me, because of my character and desire to want everything to be done with quality, characteristic of almost everyone belonging to my generation – I will keep it in mind and don’t worry, I’m going to do it. ”

Just a month after that call and through another colleague, whom I also congratulated on her birthday, I learned that she was hospitalized in Havana, news that unsettled me. I immediately sent her a text message trying to offer my solidarity and affection, and above all to bring a message of hope and positive energy; the one who exactly three hours later responded with her usual affection.

A phone call

I will never be able to forget the phone call that I received before the twenty-four hours following that text message, I simply refused to accept the news, which in addition and despite coming from a very serious person, I knew was true; But I still doubted it and checked it.

I could not sleep all night and I confess that when the morning came I did not know how to get to Carmen Street # 7 between San Ramón and Martí Street, a place where we met so many times but I never imagined I would fulfill such a bitter mission.

Seeing her was one of the most heartbreaking feelings that I have had in recent times, because I thought about so many things that she could not do, so many dreams that she could still have fulfilled. I saw her children united, as always, and i asked myself again and again how life brings us unexpected surprises; but we must keep living in spite of everything.

I often delete the text messages from my phone to save space, because according to the experts, it is not convenient; but I can assure you that that text message, the one that she sent me that day, that one, I will never deleted. I will keep it like so many other things that we do not count and will remain in my memory.

Her imprint

Her absence was felt, when, in the traditional commemoration of El Mayor’s birth, she did not speak as usual, in the ceremony that all of us from Camagüey dedicated to her. I can tell you: how strange it was and how I would have liked to hear her voice again!

For that illustrious, converted woman from Camagüey par excellence, my respect and admiration; and the assurance that I will keep her personal and professional legacy as a necessary teaching, of reference.

A goodbye for you, with the assurance that you will be resting in peace and that all your wisdom will continue to reach the Cubans who love history, trying to defend it as you taught us.

Translated by: Aileen Álvarez García