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North America, Travel
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May 11, 2009

Tale of The Perfect Mother’s Day

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Mother’s Day morning. I didn’t sleep in. As a matter of fact, as strange as it may be, I actually ended up waking up earlier than ever, before anyone – even the kids. Because the kids have a habit of invading our bed in the wee hours of the morning, we were all curled up together on their queen size bed, warm and deep in sleep.

But I couldn’t sleep anymore. So at 6:30 I was up. I like the time of silence and of just being able to think alone for a bit. It’s a great way to start the day, not that I am much of an early morning person.

After letting them sleep for awhile, I got them all up, in motherly fashion, to get ready to head out to Central Park. Today was the day I would be participating in R Baby Foundation’s Run/Walk to help raise money for newborn babies who need special medical care during those first crucial months of life.

Sounded to me like a perfect cause for a perfect day. I had been fortunate to not have ever experienced the sadness of needing such help herself for her children and was more than happy to help other families that did.

We made it to the park just in time for me to line up for the 1.3 mile Health Walk. The day was sunny, but windy and a bit chilly, beautiful nevertheless. Hubby took the kids to one of the playgrounds in the park while I did my walk. At first, in seeing the crowds of families and mother’s with their husbands and little ones, I wished I had brought my family to join me. But shortly after starting the walk I began power walking and pushed myself to the fastest walk I’ve done, helping me complete it in 20 minutes! The crowds at the end of the line were great too, cheering everyone on and congratulating them for the finish.

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After meeting up with some friends for a quick hello, I made my way through Central Park to meet the family. I walked by some of my favorite spots in the park, still empty due to the fact that it was early.  Even The Boathouse was still setting up for the Mother’s Day patrons lining up outside.

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The paths inside of Central Park that lead to different sections and cross town, can be convoluted and many. It seemed like miles before I was able to reach my family on the other side of town, but it was a beautiful, peaceful walk through the park, one I recommends to everyone. (You shouldn’t be nervous to take the many paths through the park for a morning or afternoon stroll-as long as it’s not dark out-they all lead to an open, populated space, and there are plenty of security personnel, as well as other walkers and runners along the way.)

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After spending the morning at the park we decided to avoid the many long lines that we would surely find with crowds looking for brunch. So we headed out of the city to a little town called Maplewood in New Jersey.

Maplewood is about a 30 minute drive out of the city. It’s quiet and quaint and I love it there. We often come here to visit when we just need to slow down for a couple of hours, and should I ever leave my beloved city, this is where I would move to.

We stopped at our favorite local diner, the Maple Leaf Diner. The diner was full of families with little ones, and hubby and I felt immediately at ease: no stress, no worries. We got their orders right away.

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img_5132After brunch, we took a stroll around town, stopping to window shop and browse in the small shops found along the main street, all before walking to the local playground so that the kids could run around a bit.

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Boys had a lot of fun at the small playground and I had a chance to talk to other local moms about Mother’s Day, the neighborhood.

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Before leaving we headed over to the local ice cream shop and got the boys a small treat. We ate it outside the shop which was full with little kids and parents ordering their cold treat. I met a nice couple and their baby and we chatted for a while before having to head back to the city.

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img_5229It was a pretty perfect Mother’s Day. By the time we got back into the city, the boys had fallen asleep in the car, and the traffic over the George Washington Bridge was beginning to get ugly but I enjoyed every second from beginning to end. Hubby ended the day by making me a special dinner and treating me to a few more hours of “do nothing”. I am grateful for him, who is so loving and considerate and for my beautiful children who have honored me with this role.

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Carol Cain

Brooklyn native Carol is happiest when on an adventure, whether close to home or farther away. She is a small business owner and travel writer. In addition to creating Girl Gone Travel, she is the Founder and Principal of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. She's mom to three wonderful sons and wife to a handsome Irish/Scot. She lives, works, and plays in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of NY.

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3 Comments
  • Lisa
    May 11, 2009

    Wow, you had a great day. Nice pictures too. Your food pictures always makes me hungry..lol

    Reply
  • Evelyn
    May 11, 2009

    Sounds like a perfect day!

    Reply
  • Justice Jonesie
    May 12, 2009

    Wow, what a great day!! This post makes me want to move to NYC!! What a beautiful day, great parks, and restaurants that serve great food. What else can you want in a city?

    Reply

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About me

Hi! I'm Carol! I am an award-winning travel blogger, a keynote speaker, and the Principal and owner of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. I a wife to a handsome Irish/Scot and a mom to 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 and for your support!

Carol Cain

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I’ve been a mom for a really, really long time. I’ve been a mom for a really, really long time. As the oldest of all my many, many siblings, caring for littles started very early in my life. I have cared for, changed diapers for, fed, rocked to sleep, booboo-kissed, advised, reprimanded, worried for, been frustrated and given anxiety by more kids than I care to count. Because I started caring for children so young, I was convinced I wouldn’t have any of my own. But I had my three beautiful boys.

I miss the little babies they were, sometimes to the point where it aches, but I love seeing the men they are becoming. I am most grateful to them for the ways in which they continue to help me discover more about myself both as a mom and beyond motherhood. My identity was never fully in being a mom, I never wanted that for myself and they all have respected, accepted, and given me space for that. And I love them unconditionally for it. Because as they start to find their own paths in life, I am not left with an empty anything, instead I find myself with a life fulfilled. Of which being their mom has been the greatest adventure.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the amazing mother figures, caregivers, and humans who have provided for another in loving, maternal ways regardless of biology and traditional roles and societal expectations. ♥️ May you find fulfillment, love, and joy in the ways you have tried to give to others who needed it most.
The Village of Monticello is located right off NYS The Village of Monticello is located right off NYS Route 17 (future I-86), mid-way between New York City and Binghamton. It is also the largest community of the Sullivan County Catskills. Like many rural downtowns across the U.S., Monticello has experienced some hardships. However, what I found especially lovely was how there is a vibrant BIPOC community, especially Latino, thriving with their small businesses and eateries keeping Downtown Monticello alive.

Imagine my delight to have seen several Dominican- Puerto Rican eateries serving and sounding like a slice of home. Last night’s treat was had at @nellys_latin_restaurant. 

Roasted pernil, grilled chicken, rice and peas, yuca, sweet plantains, ox tail, goat….the list goes on and on. Right here in Monticello, NY. I ate and washed it all down with a cool papaya shake, just like from the islands.

So, if driving through, be sure to check out downtown Monticello for some good Caribbean eats…and wait till I tell you about breakfast!!! Thanks @nickfingdavis for the find! 🇩🇴🇵🇷

#monticellony #catskills #goodeats @sullivancatskills
Nothing like the beautiful golden hour in @flxwine Nothing like the beautiful golden hour in @flxwinecountry.🌞

#myflx
These days you will find me walking in the rain, c These days you will find me walking in the rain, chasing waterfalls, and anything nature filled. Such is spring in the Finger Lakes 🌷

#fingerlakes #lifeinthefingerlakes #cascadillagorge #ithacany
I sometimes can’t believe how easily I fell in l I sometimes can’t believe how easily I fell in love with this life.

There was a time when my DREAM was to be one of those old NYC ladies living in a 4 story walk-up, and who people would often see pulling around her shopping cart from market to market. And while I long for a NYC that barely exists anymore, I do have to say I am still often surprised at how dramatically that dream has changed.

Now I dream of uninterrupted days spent tending to my garden and growing food and other pretty greenery I never knew I could. Or figuring out new recipes and sitting by the fire with my puppies on my lap.

I crave mornings made foggy by the adjacent lake, and early wake-ups by the sound of the passing horse and buggy on Sunday mornings.

Yeah. The world is big and there is so much I want to see still but I also love this place where it feels like nothing else matters, not even the mud on my hands and boots.

📸 Gardening bliss on a rainy day at @theflxcottage.
Yesterday, we headed to @tanglewood_nature_center Yesterday, we headed to @tanglewood_nature_center to scout a photography location. The focus was work. But as we took the 3 mile hike to the overlook, through the mud, in the rain…and the sun, because spring, and as the birds sung, the woodpeckers pecked, and the deer strutted, I felt myself feel lighter, happier, and at ease. With just a walk, in this beautiful place. Alongside my beautiful partner.

If you call the Finger Lakes home, I hope you can also appreciate it and the gifts it offers, even when we least expect it. And if you need a reminder, just go outside.

#tanglewoodnaturecenter #fingerlakes

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