Exactly a week ago I celebrated my 40th birthday in a place I thought I would never see, my homeland of Cuba. My grandparents fled in 1969, leaving everything (including family) behind to give their children and in turn me, a better life. For many years I’d only heard stories about Cuba. About its beauty, sadness, and its stolen promise. I had (still have) complicated feelings about going because it cost my grandparents so much to leave. And yet, it breaks my heart that my grandfather never got to see the beach he called “la mas linda en el mundo” again (the most beautiful in the world). But here, in Varadero Beach, I felt closer to him than I had since he passed. I’d like to think that he was there, celebrating my milestone birthday with me and encouraging me to continue to explore my roots. A special thank you to my good friend msjliu for not only accompanying me on this “heritage tour” but for initiating it and making me feel comfortable about going. I appreciate your patience, ev...