My Cuban Abuelita: One Hundred and One Years of Faith

Zoila’s altar in her room, adorned with family and religious relics

One hundred and one years old, Zoila Olivera, a resident of West Miami who migrated from Cuba more than 5 decades ago, continues leaning in her religious faith to endure …

Although Zoila sometimes forgets the name of her streets, she always remembers the place of her birth.

“En la calle Padre Carmelo, al frente del Casino Campestre.”

The third of eight siblings, Zoila still cherishes her childhood memories with her siblings, filled with laughter, singing, and long conversations. At the same time, she has seen many loved ones depart.

Widow and without any surviving siblings, Zoila now finds solace in her altar adorned with religious relics and family memorabilia. Every night, before going to sleep, she says this corner of her room keeps her reconnecting with her loved ones.

My humble abuelita’s advice for herself, or maybe for the world, is “to never lose faith, fight for what is right, and always do good.”