Goodbye, Popi

In 2004, my father in-law passed away.  Dr. Juan Delgado—his kids called him “Popi”—lived an amazing life of tragedy and triumph, a life that would make a great novel or movie of the week.  And his life has taught me a couple important life lessons that I’d like to share. 

In the late 50’s, Popi was a country doctor in Matanzas, Cuba.  His office was next door to his house;  he worked 7 days a week, made frequent housecalls, and often accepted farm animals in payment for his services from patients who had no other way to pay him.  Doctors Day was a circus at the Delgado home each year, as hundreds of patients dropped by to offer their thanks (and more farm animals!) for his friendship and care.  And he enjoyed the rewards of a successful doctor:  a large home, a house staff to care for the family, beach home, and financial stability.

But,  Fidel Castro came to power in Cuba in 1959.  The dictator stripped the Cubans of their liberty and their rights, seized property, and began the oppression that continues today.  Popi wanted better for his family.  So, in 1966, he made the difficult decision to leave his country behind.  He was told he would have to remain in Cuba in order for his family to go to Miami…and he agreed.  At the last moment, the soldiers told him he could go, but one of his daughters would have to stay behind.  The solders searched the home and inventoried all their belongings, because everything they owned now belonged to the government.  Each member of the family could take only 1 item from the home with them.  At the airport, the soldiers changed their minds again and allowed the entire family to fly to Miami—and freedom. 

Landing in Miami at the age of 54,  Popi the successful doctor, found he didn’t speak the language, couldn’t practice medicine,  had no job and had no possessions.  But he had a dream.  He kept the family together, living in the housing projects on $100 a month while he learned English and studied for his medical license.  And he succeeded.  He practiced medicine in Louisiana for 20 years as the medical director for the state’s largest psychiatric hospital.  He saw all three of his daughters attend college, two of them attending graduate school.  He lived to see 6 grandchildren.  And when he retired to Miami, he began to receive phone calls from former patients from Cuba who had settled in Miami and sought him out.  As the calls increased, he eventually opened another successful practice in Miami—at the age of 74! 

So, here’s what I learned:  Nothing is impossible.  Follow your dream.  If you can visualize it, you can achieve it.  Pay no attention to the naysayers, for those telling you it can’t be done get in the way of you doing it.  “Life, you know,” as Popi told me once with a grin, “is really something!”