The death of Fidel Castro is the best news ever for Cuba and Cubans, whether they are on the island or in exile. Maybe, finally, real change -- that is, freedom -- will come to Cuba. We will know more about that in the weeks and months to come.
What is known is that the demise of the dictator is a big deal for my family.
Like so many other Cubans, my family in the early 1960s was forced to leave their homes because of Castro and his so-called revolution, if they were to raise their children in freedom.
Our journey, like that of other exiles, was often hard, and sometimes tragic. But as the decades have shown, as evidenced by all our successes, we won.
We won, and Castro lost.
His death does not define our victory. But it does remind that too many exiles, who in their hearts never left Cuba, are not with us to celebrate.
Upon hearing the news, I first thought of my grandfather, Raimundo Masferrer, who with his brothers left Cuba on New Year's Eve 1958 as Castro's rebel army declared victory. I learned so much about being Cuban from him and my grandmother, Abadora.
And my grandmother, Adela Lamadrid Godinez, who worked so hard to build a life for my mother and her nine brothers and sisters. Despite the blood, sweat and tears, she lived the American dream.
I wish I could celebrate with them today.
But their legacy is alive and strong.
We won, and Castro lost.
That is what we must remember today.
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