Elizabeth Broton Rodriguez packed a few belongings for her and her young son Elian. She hoped that she would be able to get the things they needed when they reached their destination. She was so scared. Her heart was pounding in her chest and her hands were sweaty. She was careful not to let her little boy know how scared she really was. She began telling her son of the grand adventure they were going to take. Talking in whispers of how wonderful their lives were going to be. They were going to be free, able to decide their futures. Elian would be able to go on to college. They would be able to speak their minds without fear.

I am sure she prayed as they embarked into the water. When their boat capsized she must have prayed even harder; prayed for someone to find them, to save them. Did Elian see his mother drown? Was he conscious or did he awake in the middle of the night? Did he scream for her, petrified and alone in the dark?

I am sure her last thoughts were for her son’s safety. Her last prayers were probably for someone to save him. Her prayers were answered. On Thanksgiving Day in 1999, three fishermen found young Elian floating in an inner tube 3 miles from the coast of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. He was taken to a hospital and was released to his paternal Uncle the next day. That same day, November 26th, a note was sent to a US mission in Havana requesting Elian’s return.

We have many custody issues in our country. The most difficult ones are the international battles. When a child born in the US is taken by one parent and moved out of the country, our government helps to return these young US citizens to their parent. We have seen these battles play out on the news. After months, sometimes years, the children are returned. If we did not honor Juan Miguel Gonzalez’s parental rights to have his son returned we would have endangered our ability to help our own.

Instead, we decided to turn a frightened traumatized child into a symbol. It wasn’t about what was best for him. It was the US against the Cuban Regime. It made great news. Cuban-Americans had and have a good point. Fidel Castro’s Cuba is ruled by oppression and fear. Death is a reality to those who oppose the government. Obviously that is why Elizabeth Rodriguez left with her son.

By turning this into such a media event, by making it so public, creating such an international uproar, we may have doomed Elian to the life he is currently leading. The Cuban Government had to make a stand and show how Elian is now a proud citizen of Cuba. He was brought out at major political rallies to show his loyalty and support. He is their beloved recognized face and name to push the oppressive agenda of the government, a symbol of Fidel Castro’s victory. Now they flaunt new pictures of him in his military uniform attending the Young Communist Union meeting. It’s heartbreaking to see the change from the smiling little boy he was.

I hope that he remembers his Mother. Remembers the stories she told of a country where he can be free. Understands the ultimate sacrifice she made to give him a chance to live his life without fear. If he does remember maybe her prayers will still be answered.

“The most painful state of being is remembering the future. Particularly one you can never have.”

Soren Kierkegaard

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