Dre Armeda

I saw my grandfather today. I got to drop off a bag of groceries at the door of his garage. We exchanged a smile and some quick words from a distance. I never thought I’d see the day where I’d be bringing him supplies like this. I never thought I’d tell him how sorry I was for not finding the milk he requested for grandma (Mima). It’s her birthday, and she’s not feeling well. I wish I could have hugged her and given her a kiss. She has the greatest smile when she lets herself.

My grandpa (Pipo) left Cuba well more than half a century ago with the family. They fled towards brighter skies. They escaped a communist dictator and a country that was falling apart. Rationed food, standing in line for hours in hopes of getting the basic supplies needed to live day-to-day. They were living always concerned about the unknown of tomorrow and wondering if the family would be able to persevere.

Although the latter is true for many today, we’re not quite that bad in terms of provisions just yet. It did hit me though. My brain made a powerful connection as I set the bag of groceries across the garage from the old man. It was overwhelming and unsettling, the eery resemblance to the very anxieties and struggles that led Pipo to find a way to recapture the liberties and freedoms taken from him and the family. Those freedoms that would be found and cherished as they made it to this wonderful country. The difference today is we’re all feeling this in some way. Not just America, but globally, and there’s nothing we can do but try to get through it together.

So please, please don’t make today a political engagement. Stop with the conspiracies for just a minute. Conserve your energy and be cognizant of the real value behind your ill-timed arguments. Are they worth it at this point in time? Reserve your tank for things that help you and those around you today. The reality is we’re already here, and things, no matter how you look at them, are already in motion. We all have a story, we have a side we choose and personal history that drives our way of thinking. Choose to be united!

Be productive, be empathetic, and be strong for one another. We are all in this together.

I’m very sorry, Mima y Pipo. We’ll find you milk and anything else you need. Just know you did the right thing and I thank you for your sacrifices. You’ll find those brighter skies one last time.