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My relatives on Mother's side:
Julia Bonis and Antonio Muina - Antonio was my Grandmother Ana Maria brother. Antonio was studying to be a doctor in 1914 in Philadelphia, Penn, U.S.A. Julia came from one of the finest famillies in Havana, Cuba. They were very happy together.
Im forever grateful for their fondness towards my Father, and the reason Father's remains are in their family tomb in Havana.
Father asked Julia to speak to me about going to his Cousin, Vicontess de Ruffieu, in Monaco, France to study. Mother put a stop to that trip as told to me by Mother.
I still remember well, Julia's kindness, and how nice she was to her cook and housekeeper. I still remember their beautiful table settings and the great Cuban food. Im sorry that life separated us.
The FOUR Muina brothers were very successful men, married to very beautiful women from society, they all had a "noble heart", and in my eyes equal to my Father's "Nobility",
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The Herrera's, on my Grandfather's side.
My Grandmother, Ana Maria Muina, married Julio Herrera, my Grandfather.
He was a "tabacalero", a mana that worked with the Tabacco Industry. He had his clothes, shoes and hats made in Spain.
He was no ordinary man, unfortunately I dont have a photo of my Grandfather. I was told by my Grandmother Ana Maria, that I was his little angel. Unfortunately, he died when I was two years old.
It was at this time that my Uncle Mike (Miguel) came to live at my parents house for a year or so...you can see his photo at about age 12, next to me and my Grandmother.
Miguel, (Mike) grew up and kept many good memories of my Father...and when I asked my Uncle Mike to tell me a little about Father when I was age 43, he said that my Father had taught him the value of work and money.
I must tell my readers that my Father must have appreciated coming from such an extraordinary background in order to tell that to my Uncle Mike. I must also tell you that my Uncle Mike was very HARD WORKING PERSON...and provided for his family very well.
At some point he had a limousine from his job as the Treasurer for the Bus Company. He worked hard and studied hard to achieve so much....then...all was taken from him.....and he was made to work in the CANE FIELDS...it was then that my Mother sent for him...I must give her credit for this.
When I picked him at La Guardia Airport, he only had the clothes he wore...and was very sad, his family came later.
He had to be a "dishwasher", in U.S.A....but he knew how to adapt...my Father had taught him this. His gratitude towards my Father was great, along with a little resentment, but he knew the value of money as well and soon Uncle Mike had a job offer in Puerto Rico
Again, he survived and was successful. His two daughters were college Graduates and his lovely wife Marta adored him....absolutely adored Mike.
I used to enjoy while visiting them in Puerto Rico, how much romantic love still existed between the two of them.
It was so nice to see people that have gone thru a lot, still look at each other and joke about life, despite all that happened bad to them.
Uncle Mike came back to U.S.A. and settle in Miami, he bought a house and they all had the hopes of returning to their beloved Cuba.
Uncle Mike died of a brain tumor...a few years ago. Marta, his wife still mourns him daily. I spoke with Uncle Mike just before he passed away, even his words: "pienso que de esta no me salvo"...."I think that from this one I don’t escape”. He died in Marta's arms at their residence in Miami.
I honor my Uncle Mike and his wife and family for all the devotion they had for one another.
Celine