My Good Friend Lay

I have just been so blessed to meet a wonderfully kind, generous, loving woman named Lay, who lives just outside of my hospital in Havana. I thought she might be too kind to be a city slicker, and sure enough she's from a small rural town just outside of Havana. I met her for the first time in my 3rd year because she prepared delicious low cost food for students out of her home. Over the last 3 years, she has become a like a big sister to me, since she's not quite old enough to be my mother.

The first time I was convinced that she was amazing was when I sprained my ankle for the second time. She came to my house almost everyday and brought me food and arnica rub from fresh arnica leaves. She refused to accept payment for the food, which is crazy to me, since she doesn't make much money at all. It really touched me that what she did make she was willing to spend to make sure I had food at a time when I couldn't shop or cook for myself.

Over time, she has been a constant and consistent person in my life. She tells amazing stories that sometimes break my heart, but always end with a message of positivity, success over all obstacles and love toward our fellow mankind. Both in very concrete and emotional/spiritual ways, she has supported me and made my experience in Cuba wonderful and amazing. I know in her, I've made a friend for life and I just hope I can show her how much I love and appreciate her for everything she's done for me.