It started out as a piece for Hispanic Heritage Month.
The OC Register asked me to write something about my family leaving Cuba. They were looking to feature Cuban-Americans, they told me.
I had procrastinated on this, so I barely made their deadline. I cobbled together pieces of things that I had already written here on my blog and pieced together a semi-coherent story and hoped for the best.
They liked the piece.
No, wait. They loved it.
In fact, they sent out their photographer to do a photo shoot of me and my family. (Thanks again, Leonard. It was great fun!)
But then today...
The story appeared on the front page of the Register. The FRONT PAGE, people! (Just below the photo of the winning Angels, but that's not important right now.)
And then my neighbor came over to tell me they had mentioned the story on one of our local radio stations. (I know! Shut up!)
The story is posted over at Babalú today, too.
Here's the article in its entirety. Be sure to click over and look at the slideshow where it says "more photos."
It's kind of disconcerting to open the newspaper and find our own old family photos splashed all over.
Even better than all of that?
The byline. =D
"SHE EMBRACES U.S., TREASURES CUBA." ~ BY MARTA DARBY.
("Yes," she says, with feigned modesty and a face-splitting-ear-to-ear grin, "that's me.")
Savoring these 15 minutes of mine...
"Rolling Stone OC RegisterWanna see my picture on the cover
Rolling Stone OC Register
Gonna buy five copies for my mother
Rolling Stone OC Register
Wanna see my smilin' face
On the cover of the Rolling Stone OC Register."
UPDATED 10/13/2009 - I am just floored by the awesome response to the article! Thanks, everyone! I will try to answer all your emails this week. *her face splits into enormously proud ear-t0-ear grin.* Wow. Just wow. =D)
You and your family are precious!!!!
Congratulations!!!
Posted by: Ody | October 12, 2009 at 11:41 AM
love it! you SHOULD be proud...a great face to represent us !!! basque in your glory ms. MArta!
Posted by: michele caridad | October 12, 2009 at 11:43 AM
Cucufate!
Posted by: Duncan | October 12, 2009 at 12:39 PM
Mira que cosa! Congratulations, Marta ... totally EXCELLENT!! I've posted it on my Facebook for all my friends to read. :-)
Posted by: Ileana | October 12, 2009 at 02:56 PM
Congratulations Martica!!!
Wonderful ... we are so proud of you!
I wish you well :) Melek
"He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has." ~ Epictetus
Posted by: Melek | October 12, 2009 at 03:22 PM
FABULOUS!! I have tears in my eyes! I'm so proud of you. Now we'll have to talk so fast tmrw we'll break the sound barrier!
Posted by: keb | October 12, 2009 at 09:03 PM
Beautiful article, Marta! You do us proud!
Maria
Posted by: Maria | October 13, 2009 at 07:51 AM
Felicidades! You deserve every accolade and every happiness!
Posted by: Nora | October 13, 2009 at 11:37 AM
Very nice article, bringing back my own memories with some similarities as well as small differences. One small correction in that it is 90 miles from Habana to Key West, but it is over 200 miles from Habana to Miami.
Posted by: Carlos | October 13, 2009 at 12:12 PM
Thank you all for the lovely congratulations and good wishes. I am quite proud and still reeling from all the attention. Apparently A LOT of people read the Register! =D
Posted by: Marta M. Darby | October 13, 2009 at 10:12 PM
Marta, I was so delighted to read your story! As a fellow Cuban, I can certainly relate to your well-written account. I also want to thank you once again for coming to the AMERICA LIBRE event at Libreria Martinez. My best to you and yours! -- Raul
Posted by: Raul Ramos y Sanchez | October 14, 2009 at 12:41 PM