The memories in Melba Peña are intermingled. More than eight decades of life, a large family and a devotion to the Cuban Revolution, knowing and being aware of all its most important moments, justify some slips that may have in memory.
But the passion and love for the Commander in Chief, that yes has not varied. That is why, today, she is one of the thousands of people who mourn uncontrollably her physical disappearance.
Among the great lamentations of his life is not to have witnessed, the first of January of 1959, the first speech of Fidel Castro in the old city council of the city. He had plenty of reasons not to be there that day.
"That day I was lying on the bed in my room. I had given birth to my youngest daughter on December 29, and at that time the women remained in bed for five days "
"On the first day of January, very early in the first hour, I was the first patient to leave the Los Angeles Clinic, it was said that Batista had fled," says Melba and hurries to say "but I was in bed, House, stuck to the radio listening all the time ".
"My two little daughters ran to see the rebels, I wanted them to see them, I suspected it was going to be a historical moment and I wanted them to remember it later. I listened to Fidel's entire speech, but in reality I remembered little later. But there is one thing he said that impressed me a lot. Exactly I do not remember, but he said something like the "fight was starting now", and the truth is that after all the clandestine struggle and in the mountains, I thought to myself, "how does Fidel say that now if I I thought that from now on we would have peace and tranquility with him, "but I did continue to listen and realized that it was going to be a different battle. He was right, as always, "says Melba Peña.
"I tell you that during the speech there was a lot of silence and tranquility. Then the people were crazy, people were happy, everyone supported Fidel. The people were so happy that I say that people did not feel like working that day, "he adds." I have always been very loyal, from the beginning, and I was suffering very much not being able to see what was happening in Santiago de Cuba. My husband, seeing my condition, brought me to my room, to the foot of my bed, to a rebel, to speak to me, and I could ask him questions. He, who does not remember his name, told me "and why do not you name the little girl Vilma or Celia," the truth is that at that moment I had already registered it, I regretted not being able to name it like that. "
Fidel Castro awakens the most diverse feelings as people exist in the world. For Melba, he was one of the men he admired the most, along with his relatives. Today he cries like he did when his father and grandfather died many years ago.
"I did not have the blessing of a son, although I love my three daughters as far as anyone can be loved, but if I had a son, I would have liked to be like him."