My Old Man was about the same age I am now when he left Cuba with his family and nothing but the clothes on his back and a need to secure a future for his children. From the moment we arrived in this country, the Old Man has toiled and worked his behind off to ensure that that future for his children, the one he left everything he’d ever known seeking, came to fruition. I cannot possibly even begin to contemplate the idea of my ever having to do the same, of exiling to another country with nothing but hope and determination.
My Old Man turns 76 today and there are two things I am absolutely certain of: while he exiled to another country half way through his life and while he has and still does work sometimes to exhaustion, he has no regrets and I could not have had a better example of integrity, dignity, determination, selflessness, kindness and love.
You can get to know him a little better by reading the following:
La bicicleta.
El Puro
Playin’ Catch
The Gospel of Bonachea
How to get runover by your own truck.
La Mandarria
Turkey and Lard
Val,
I wish your father a very happy birthday.
May God bless him with good health and many more birthdays.
Ed Morrow
Naturally, I read the Bonachea thread, for obvious reasons. Your father’s artistry is a particularly Cuban one. The ornamental gates, railings and balconies fashioned by Cuba’s master smithies are considered the apex of that art and coveted by collectors and architectural restorers all around the world. In fact, Castro has salvaged much of it from the ruins he created and sold examples dating to the 18th century to foreigners, another element of our national patrimony which he has looted and defaced. A great deal more has literally been gutted because of the lack of paint to protect the iron. Hence there will be much restoration required and few men like your father to undertake it. His greatest work may lie ahead of him, if not actually making the ironwork himself, then instructing future generations how to do it.
I also found it touching that your father had named his business in Miami after the old man (Bonachea) who taught him this art in Cuba. Truly the men who teach us the means to live and earn our keep are like second fathers.
A Happy Birthday to your father and many more years to enjoy his family and his country once it is free.
You are a lucky man, Val Prieto, to have such a sterling example of a man, a husband, and father. Happy Birthday and many, many more.
Happy Birthday Jesus! And many more to come!
Wonderful shots of your parents Val. Happy Birthday to your Dad and may God bless you with many more birthdays with your father. Great shot of your Mom. One can see that although she is a beautiful, she must have been BELLISIMA in her youth.
Wonderful shots of your parents Val. Happy Birthday to your Dad and may God bless you with many more birthdays with your father. Great shot of your Mom. One can see that although she is a beautiful, she must have been BELLISIMA in her youth.
Felicidades to your dad y que cumpla muchos mas y con mucha salud. God Bless!!!
¡Feliz Cumpleaños Señor Prieto!
And many more!
Happy Birthday Mr. Prieto!
Val, you are so blessed to have such awesome parents and especially an incredible dad. Happy Birthday, Señor Prieto!
Happy Birthday to your wonderful father Val, and best wishes for many many more joyous years, with visits to a free and prosperous Cuba.
There is NOTHING I love better than a shameless display of pride and affection.
It’s obvious that it’s a mutual thing between you & your folks.
Muchas Felicidades a tu papá, Val.
Feliz Cumple, Señor Prieto!
Que tenga mucho mas años de vida, con salud, con prosperidad, y con la cosa mas preciosa del mundo — con un hogar, tierno y feliz.
Saludos, una amiga de tu hijo,
Victoria
Val, you look a lot like your mum. But you also look a lot like your dad (in the lower half, especially).
What a nice family you have.
Cheers,
Victoria
What a great post! Your parents are the cutest. Happy Birthday to your dad!
Happy Birthday, Val’s dad!
LE MANDO UN ABRAZO A TODOS LOS VIEJOS QUE CREARON UN PUEBLO CUBANO EN LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS. LOS QUE CUANDO LLEGARON ERAN LA MINORIA Y AHORRA GRACIAS A ELLOS NOSOTROS (HIJOS DEL EXILIO) EXISTIMOS COMODOS EN LA MAYORIA. VIVA LOS COJONES DE DEJAR A TU PATRIA Y EMPEZAR DE NUEVO, CON EL VALOR QUE YO NO CREO QUE PUDIERA IGUALAR. VIVA CUBA LIBRE, COÑOOOOOO
A huge thanks to all for the brithday wishes. You guys brought tears to the old man’s eyes.
Mas vale tarde que nunca – FELICIDADES, Sr. Prieto. Y que cumpla muchos mas con salud, el amor de su familia, y alegria en su vida.
Your dad is adorable, Val!
Like you!
Feliz cumpleaños to him! And felicitaciones to you!
Val,
It’s already been said, but you ARE a VERY lucky man to have a father whom you admire. It’s good to be reminded of the sacrifice of our fathers.
Felicidades Señor Prieto!