Travelling to Cuba changed my life. I lived a simple, "ignorance is bliss" kind of life prior to Cuba. Ignorance may be bliss, but once you are stripped of ignorance and faced with a starving child or a mother who threw her dignity out the window when she sacriced her body to feed her family- you realize your loss of innocence. Cuba revolutionized my thinking and my desires. The city was in ruins. Streets stripped of their beauty as Castro plans his "beautification of Havana" a plan that has been in effect for many years. No swimming in the blue Caribbean waters for Cubans- for they might try to escape. No leaving your city of residence without permission. Not enough food, clothes, bath supplies. Yet this picture captures a Cuban heart. A woman- older- lived in Cuba through the disaster of Communisim...feeding the birds. I saw the same in Guatemala and have a similar picture. Even in our great suffering we want to offer. I have no doubt that she would offer all she has to a sister in need. She bends over in her old body and offers a few crumbs to the birds. I have a few thoughts about this. 1. Disgusting. I hate birds.
2. My eyes water as my heart feels compassion for such a suffering country. 3. What an offering.
I would love to return to Cuba someday....perhaps it's to regain my innocence.