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Defining Moments: A Cuban exile's story of discovery

Author talk with Jose Ignacio Ramirez

Local author Jose Ramirez will be at the library for an in-person author talk about his book "Defining Moments."

Jose Ramirez will share his personal story, reflecting on times now past—times filled with change, transition, and discovery.

Leaving his parents in Cuba at the age of fifteen to begin a new life, Jose Ramirez lived in transitional housing, a refugee camp, several foster homes, and alone until being finally reunited with members of his family years later. A member of the Pedro Pan Program, he was able to secure the basic necessities of life after his exodus to the United States and was able to graduate from high school, always pursuing the goal of securing a higher level of education. Letters from family in Cuba provided encouragement and emotional support, but ultimately he learned to rely on his own sense of what was right as he confronted those defining moments in his life when decisions had to be made.

The author has taken a hard and sometimes painful look at his past to retrieve those memories of facing the challenges presented by an uncertain and undefined future. Reflecting on the experiences of his trips back to Cuba over the last several years, Ramirez has also come to certain conclusions about life in Cuba. Through exploring important topics and themes relevant to him, his family, and his home country, the author is able to reflect on that which has remained the same and that which has changed, always with the hope that a better future may be in the horizon.

This presentation will last for 45-60 minutes. Books will be available for purchase. 

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