By Patricio Montesinos
Cubans pay special tribute these days to the historic leader of their Revolution, Fidel Castro, whom they speak of with a mixture of admiration, respect and longing, but they always do so in the present, despite his physical departure.
For the millions of admirers in the largest of the Antilles of the Commander in Chief, as they will continue to call him eternally, Fidel lives in each one of his compatriots, and is there, at any point on the Island, where he appeared again and again to sow ideas, hopes and listen to his people.
Most Cubans have an anecdote to tell about his top leader and guide, in these hours close to his 96th birthday, this August 13th, they celebrate it in different activities with marked pride.
Many say that they still talk to Fidel, that they ask him for advice and help in making his personal decisions, and it is very common to hear them express through tears that they miss him very much, as his closest and dearest relative.
It is that the man that the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) tried to assassinate with more than 600 attempted attacks and successive US administrations tried to overthrow, without ever succeeding, is present in every joy and triumph of Cubans, and also in every adversity and sadness.
The leader of the Revolution of January 1, 1959 in the largest of the Antilles accompanies his people at all times, and for all generations, including those who least knew him, the youngest and children, he is a protective angel, and the idol of the well-deserved so-called Island of Dignity.
Fidel is also remembered in all continents because he always extended his hands of solidarity to the most dispossessed in this world, without asking for anything in return, and taught his compatriots to follow that path of helping those in need.