A Cuban mother living in Italy has shared an emotional reflection on TikTok about why she continues to take her 14-year-old son to school, even though he is old enough to go on his own. Behind this everyday gesture lies a story of family separation that explains why she now wants to cherish every moment with him.
The Cuban woman, known on TikTok as Clau.isla (@claudia.gmez.velz), shared in a video posted on her account that she was separated from her son for two years and four months due to immigration, an experience that made her appreciate even more the small moments they can now share together.
"Life is short because moments are not eternal, because they will not always be small, because they will not always be by our side," he reflected.
The mother confessed that the separation was especially painful and that she feels she lost an important part of her child's childhood. “I was away from him for two years and four months, and I missed so many things, I missed so many moments, I lost so much, so much, so much that now that he is here...,” she expressed emotionally.
Now that he has free time because he is not working, he takes advantage of it to drop him off and pick him up from school, to hold his hand and hug him, even in front of his classmates. According to what he said, his son really enjoys those moments with him, including the kisses and hugs in front of his peers.
For this Cuban woman, having a 14-year-old son does not mean she has to stop accompanying him. She knows that the time will come when he will want to do things on his own, but in the meantime, she prefers to enjoy his company.
"It will come in due time, even when you least expect it," he assured.
And he added, "That moment is not marked on the calendar, just as the day we can take him to school and the day we finish taking him does not have a date on the calendar. That has no schedule."
His reflection was accompanied by a piece of advice for other parents: do not postpone hugs, kisses, and shared moments with your children.
"As long as you can carry it, carry it. As long as you can shake hands, shake hands. As long as you can hug him, give him a kiss in front of your friends, in front of anyone, don’t be shy, folks, do it," he insisted.
He also reminded that time passes too quickly and that often the value of those moments is only understood when they can no longer be recovered. "Regrets come later," he warned.
His message was not aimed solely at parents, but also at other relatives: "Whether you are uncles, grandparents, not just in name and from afar. Do what is necessary for the family, as that will always remain here."
Claudia's experience is reminiscent of other stories of Cuban families who have had to face long separations due to emigration. Recently, a Cuban woman had an emotional reunion with her son at a school after four years without being able to embrace him, while another story shared on social media showcased a family reunion in Italy filled with hugs and tears.
Claudia, for her part, is clear that she wants to continue accompanying her son as long as they can both enjoy that routine, which may seem insignificant to others, but holds enormous value for her.
"I will bring it until time allows me, until life allows me," he concluded. "Because I don’t know when I will be able to do it again. In the blink of an eye, we are back and they have already grown up."
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