The thing I would hold- an "estampita"

By Liena Diaz

While I was in Cuba I had a lot of things to hold:
in one sacred place in my home there were a Cuban flag, some of my favorite books and my mom’s necklaces. No matter what, those things were always with me like an amulet.
But I left my country, and from that day forward everything changed for me.

As a Doctor, I wasn’t allowed to leave Cuba in any legal way, so I decided to come by sea risking my life.
Once I was determined I left my home, and that day I took nothing but a purse.
Inside that purse there was what I will keep for as long as I live: we, Cubans, call it “estampita”.
An "estampita" is a sort of laminated card, usually a painting of a Saint. It's smaller than a real postcard, and people use them to worship. You can usually get them in church, but in my case, I got mine from a woman who took care of me for years while I was living in Havana and whom I loved like a mother.

During my trip to the US, I realized that when people are afraid they need to believe, and people who I shared that "sea-adventure" with, weren't the exception, so while we were in the forest (we were hidden in there for 3 days) we spent a lot a time worshipping and asking God to protect us. It was then when my little postcart became the most important common treasure we had.

Fortunately our adventure was a success.

After arriving to America, my little "estampita" got a new meaning for me: it also represents now what I am, where I come from, and where I want to go on in life.
That's why I keep it in my wallet, so I can remember everything I have been through... just in case I forget.