Dear IF readers,

Yesterday I arrived back from a visit to Gammy and Papa Carlos in Miami. Gammy is Jax’s Godmother. She watches over all of us. Gammy is the Little Marta of International Family Magazine’s launch issue. She rescued herself from Cuba and Fidel Castro at age 15 and spent the next 15 years getting the rest of her family safely to the United States. Her home in Miami has a garden filled with trees and plants to eat at their table. They have never forgotten that things in Cuba changed in one day, the money system converted in 24 hours, and that there was nothing. The fruit trees are just in case it ever happens again, and they can feed the family till they find safe harbor. Their family is large with Papa Carlos, Mammy (92 years old, Marta’s mother), Juanito (Marta’s sister’s best friend), nieces, great nieces and nephews, and on and on to the dogs and cats, and any stray that walks into their life.

Marta was my boss in Wall Street over a decade ago. She was a woman without her own biological children but caring for many. I admired her so much for her strength, courage and resourcefulness. Marta encouraged me to leave her employment because wanted me to write and start something creative. She didn’t see me working with money and numbers for long. Marta encouraged me to have my babies before work got in the way. Out of gratitude at my first pregnancy that took a few years after I quit all the traveling and stress, I asked her to be Jax’s Godmother. She accepted and took us all into her wisdom. The boys and I travel to see her often just hoping that the great light that surrounds her will shine on us as well. We joke that she brings us luck. Gammy comes to all of Jax events of christening and birthdays, and sends things often. She has led a rigorous life of hard work, the highest integrity, great tenacity, loyalty and above all the joy of living. I have never heard such a mountainous laugh as hers. I hope that Jax will learn these qualities from her, and I see it in him often, the questions of good and bad, right and wrong, love, loyalty and spirituality, the joie de vivre.

What a nice weekend with my dear family friends. The cooking was as usual wonderful. We always eat midday, and then siesta, then rise with a Cuban coffee at four. This weekend I had a wonderful spanish pumpkin and vegetable soup with lime and cilantro. It was a nice respite. I went by myself. Today, back with my little family of Jax, Papa, Brody and myself, I am charged with energy and gratitude. I bring books packed in my suitcase by Gammy and Papa Carlos. Brody made Jax and I take turns to play teacher and read him the pages. We raised our hands and giggled when he would say, “No, now it is my turn to read.” I think I brought Gammy’s laughter home with me.

Good reading, Cat Wayland, cat@internationalfamilymag.com

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