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Girl Gone Travel

Girl Gone Travel

North America, Travel
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March 10, 2009

Typical Day in The Heights, NYC

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This has probably been what most people would call a typical day. Nothing extravagant, no special excursions to report.  But for someone like me, every single moment, taste, smell, and sound is significant. To many I am a pretty happy person, not too difficult to get close to, personable and friendly. But I discovered my joie de vivre coming out of the sorrow from my mother’s passing. Though I miss her and wish she were here everyday of my life, I also remember my mother’s smile and appreciation for her children and grandchildren, her friends, music, food, travel, colors and most importantly, adventures of any kind. My mother had a long list of things to do, but her illness got the best of her, too sudden, too soon.

She left in me a strong sense of love for life, appreciation of those closest to me and a desire to make the most of every moment. The experience of having lost my mom so suddenly, so soon, awakened in me the same appreciation for life that my mother had.

Thus, on this typical day I did nothing more than take a stroll with my boys to one of their favorite local parks.

We had a great time, even though it was a simple day and laughed often, like when the 3.5 year old starting flirting with some high school girls taking their lunch break at the park. I watched as he tried his hardest to make them laugh, insisting on swinging in the “big kid’s” swings, and not having me help him or come close to him, except to console him and dry his tears when they had to leave and he was left heartbroken.

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Or the moment when they both wanted to play on the tire swing, laughing so wholeheartedly with every swing and turn, that it became contagious, bringing a smile to those who walked by on the street.

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Or the moment, after coming home, when I sat on the bathroom floor just so I could watch my boys play and listen to them as they giggled and blew bubbles at each other, cracking up each time a bubble popped on one of their heads, hand, leg, or face.

img_2914And the moment when I laid on my bed, with my babies resting by my side, and I looked at the fresh cut flowers I bought at the market, which reminded me of spring being in the air and the excitement of all the newness and life the season represents.

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All in all, pretty typical, but for me, also pretty great.

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Carol Cain

Brooklyn native Carol is happiest when on an adventure, close to home or farther away. In addition to creating Girl Gone Travel, she is the Founder and CEO of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications management, and brand development agency. She's mom to three wonderful sons and wife to a handsome Irish/Scot. She splits her time between her homes in New Jersey and Finger Lakes.

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1 Comment
  • Quiskaeya
    March 12, 2009

    The simpliest and most typical days can be the ones to cherish the most. I just love this post. I added you to my blog roll!

    Reply

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About me

Hi! I'm Carol! I am a communications professional, an award-winning travel blogger, a public speaker, CEO of a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency, a wife, and a mom of 3 sons and 2 puppies. Welcome to my blog where I share stories of my travels and professional public relations insights and advice. Thank you for reading!

Carol Cain

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Mother Nature sent us some dusting. She must be Sp Mother Nature sent us some dusting. She must be Spring cleaning.

I know. I know. Snow 😖 But we’re almost there...I just feel it. Just not today!
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Also, being in this place just makes me so dang happy all around.
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Home life has become less tense as the end of scho Home life has become less tense as the end of school days get closer and closer. Work has been fulfilling and gratifying. I’ve started putting more time into my fitness, which is making me feel really good. I’m slowly booking my calendar to see my dearest, and nearest friends. And though long distance travel is still not in the works for us, we are gifted with the Finger Lakes nearby and are not taking any of it for granted.

So while @theflxcottage is still being worked on, we decided to take a weeklong workcation along the beautiful Seneca Lake.

The air is still a bit too chilly for swims or BBQs but I plan on spending as many sunsets as possible right in this spot.

I hope this inspires a road trip close to home for you. Because don’t we all deserve a bit more serene beauty in our lives? Go get yours! @flxwinecountry @flpplake 
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My youngest hesitated. Saying he didn’t want to go.

In my heart I felt his fear. I understood it. I’ve spent many years playing in the ocean. I’ve had many encounters with sharks, jellyfish, sea urchins, and even had a near drowning experience. The ocean both thrills and terrifies me. But I venture into it often because fear is such a debilitating drug. And that was my biggest fear for my kids. So I made him sit on the edge of the boat as he teared up, and I nudged him into the water. 

As I prepped to jump in after him, I saw our Jamaican guide give me a thumbs up, and the other tourists give me a look of disapproving judgement.

I jumped in the water and held my boy’s hand, tears were coming down his cheeks, past his goggles. 

“Baby, it’s OK to be scared. It’s normal. But I will not leave your side. I will hold your hand and nothing will hurt you, I won’t allow it.” I never felt a promise so deeply.

We started swimming. Fish of every size and color passing us by and gliding beneath us. He would look at me, nod his head, give me a thumbs up.

After awhile he signals wanting to go up, so we do.

“You Ok?”, I ask. “Yes,” he responded, “You can let go of me now. You don’t need to hold my hand anymore. I’m not afraid.” Then he let me go and started swimming away.

I swam along side him. Never leaving his side. The warmth of my tears fogging my goggles as I realized that it was me who needed his hand holding far more than he did, and bursting with pride at the newfound courage in him, at the beauty of watching my son grow up before my eyes.
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