I just read and enjoyed a comment that the journalist and friend Bárbara Suárez Ávalo, a reporter for the beloved radio station Radio Progreso, made regarding the sunflower.

In it she explained its meaning and the different edges that it has, so similar to those that this town has and that, why not, identify us perhaps, somewhat from the rest of the countries; Well, if we analyze carefully and take a break to look for our roots, our history and our feats, without a doubt, we will realize that we are in the presence of a unique country that has always faced and continues to do so, whatever difficulty and vicissitude it faces in the way.

We have known how to avoid them through thick and thin, without losing our smiles, so the reporter in a very curious and pleasant way put the photo of a large sunflower, and in its center she wished us a good day and in each of its petals she put different values ​​and distinctive characteristics of a good human being, those who, of course, with defects, but also with virtues; characterize those born in this green caiman of the Caribbean Sea.

I have always liked that flower, although it is not my favorite. I don’t know if it will be because it constantly seeks the sun, something that for me is fundamental because light is life and joy. It is beauty and majesty, its ability to be upright at all times with that long stem that transmits perseverance.

It is familiar to me, because it is the flower that my daughter loves and it gives me a pleasant well-being to detail it and put it in a vase, whenever I can to contemplate it and even praise its durability; that’s why I really liked knowing something more about her.

Gathering stories

Thinking of the comment and the sunflower, I remembered a writing that appeared on social networks a few months ago, and that someone borrowed it from someone to whom we owe so much knowledge of history, heritage and countless topics that he addressed and left us for our collection; I am taking about Dr. Eusebio Leal Spengler, who with his imprint will always guide hearts.

And because of the depth and beauty of his words, I decided to share this beautiful little text that I am sure you will enjoy, as I did, and that from my point of view, says a lot about who we Cubans are.

In addition, this modest comment may also serve as a gift to that man, one of the essential personalities of our nation, our always Leal:

«We are faced with something that brings together believers and non-believers, which belongs to the poetry of the nation, to the invisible soul of Cuba, because of the place that Our Lady of Charity occupies among the symbols loved by Cubans … We are the result of blood and that poured blood nourishes the cape of this virgin; that mestizo color in the skin and in the heart, that Cuban color that we must defend is not only an appearance, it has to be a color of the soul, a color of the spirit, a confession of faith in the equality of man. We go in the boat, in that boat goes Cuba and the country has to be saved, that is our destiny, (…) justice first, always Charity and faith, we all have a little bit of faith in us, even those who say they don’t have any ».

Translated by: Aileen Álvarez García