This year’s end will not be the same for everyone. For many, the holidays are spent far from loved ones, in a place that doesn’t quite feel like home. This is expressed by a Cuban living in the United States, who in an emotional message reflects on how immigrants face loneliness and nostalgia during this season. "The end-of-year celebrations are approaching, but for many, there won’t be a celebration, because there are many people who are here physically, but their hearts are not," he shares in his video.
From his account @i.am.ivey, the creator delves into the disconnection many feel when living far from their home country. "Many people are facing a year of suffering and don’t know if the next year will be the same. Many are sad because they can't travel," he notes, referring to those who spend this time longing for hugs and moments left in the past.
In his words, he describes how celebrations can sometimes turn into an effort to fit in. "There are people invited to strangers' homes to simulate joy, to take a photo at a table filled with food and a heap of false feelings. After everyone takes the picture, everyone is just sitting around bored," he reflects, adding that, although some try to maintain the illusion, the absence of family always weighs heavily.
The video has resonated deeply with its followers, who did not hesitate to share their own experiences in the comments. "I have never heard anything more real than what you say"; "It’s very sad to spend another year without my children and grandchildren"; "For me, there is no celebration. I am absent," wrote users who identified with the message. Others, like one who claimed that this time of year is "the most painful of the year for those of us who emigrated," expressed gratitude for the creator's honesty and sent their blessings.
For many immigrants, Christmas and New Year's are not just a change in the calendar, but rather a testament to the difficult decisions they have made in search of a better future. And although not everyone celebrates with parties, there remains a shared hope for a new year filled with promise and purpose.
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