The year Castro screwed with Christmas

[susandennis]

It was 1958. I was 9, my sister was 7 and my brother was 3, we took our first whole family vacation. Oh, we'd been on trips but they always involved a relative - usually several - on the other end. This, my father announced, was going to be a vacation! We were going to Florida for Christmas!!! We would be able to swim in the ocean on Christmas Day!!! And... if that wasn't enough... we were going to go - in.an.airplane! to Cuba!!!

Ok, it's important to note 2 things:
1. My father was a master salesman. Freezers to Eskimos and all that. He never just told you good news - he SOLD you all news.
2. I had no clue what or where Cuba was and could have cared less... BUT, I had never been in an airplane before and I was so ready.

We counted down the days in great anticipation. Until just before we left when Daddy came home with very bad news. We couldn't go to Cuba. They were over throwing their leader and it was not safe. I was 9. Eisenhower was president. We were done with World Wars. Peace ruled the land. Not safe to me meant running with scissors. I so didn't' get it. But I did get that Cuba was killing my airplane trip. Bad, bad Cuba.

But, there was quick recovery. Daddy reswizzled the deal and the airplane bit was saved.

We did swim in the ocean on Christmas Day - it was freezing fucking cold but I was 9 and I was swimming in the ocean on Christmas Day!

And then, we boarded an Eastern airlines prop jet for a 30 minute ride to Nassau where we spent a couple of days and then got to get back on the airplane for the ride back to Florida. It was wonderful. Amazing. I forgave Cuba.