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August 14, 2010

Life’s Journey and The Marks You Leave Behind

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As travelers we often contemplate  and write about the marks a place and its people leave behind, whether it be in our hearts, our minds, our beings. But how often do we pay attention to the marks that we leave behind? Are they worthy of our mention?

My mother was an amazing woman. A single mother of two, when I lived with her and my younger brother, I never wanted for anything and it wasn’t till much older that I learned that she struggled financially to give us those things we needed.  I do remember that she worked hard. She often said that pursuing and attaining her college degree as a woman in her 40s, with a full-time job and two happy and healthy children was one of her greatest achievements.

As she grew older and we talked more as two female friends then just mother and daughter, she confided in me and shared her many dreams. One of them being able to travel the world when she retired. She had saved for it. Worked for it. Deserved it.

She had survived breast cancer, found love and retired. She had raised two children on her own who adored her and were successful and happy. Just as she planned the first of what she said would be many, many more trips she was diagnosed with cancer yet again. This time it deformed and debilitated her, and eventually killed her.

It has been three years since the death of my mother and I have never been the same. Her death changed me and affected me in ways nothing else in my life has.

The outpouring of love and the many tears cried from friends far and wide was overwhelming. People who she had known since her childhood, as a young immigrant to this country, as a professional in different jobs, as a daughter, sister, friend, mother loved her. They spoke of the good she did. How she helped and cared for others. How she had very little, but gave so much in friendship, encouragement, and affection. How she inspired other women, other mothers. She would’ve been proud. We were proud.

Even though I knew my mother to be the kindest of souls and strongest of women, it was the reaction to her death from so many, and how they remembered and celebrated her that really made me self-examine myself.

When I die, when I leave all the people that know me behind, how will I be remembered? Will it be in a way that will make my children proud? That will inspire them to be the best THEY can be? Will they learn to stand up for themselves? To speak out against injustice or cruelty? To never be pushed down and to help others up?

The list of unfulfilled dreams my mother left behind drives me each day to do what I love. The support of my husband and family gives me the freedom to do so. The strength and courage with which she faced adversity and struggles helps me to stay committed to doing the same for myself. But it is the mark I leave behind during this journey through life that guides me.

I am not always kind, nor am I always wise. I sometimes speak too much, and fail to listen. I have not mastered the art of forgiveness, and I often give in to anger. I am not always the best wife, nor am I always a good mother…and as a friend I strive to be better.

But the bottom line is I strive and try. I think and reflect. I consider other’s feelings and apologize often, from the heart and sincerely.  Life is too short. My mother’s life is an example of that. When I fail in my efforts, she is the person I think of and helps me back to my center. I want to enjoy this journey as much as possible. The hope is that when I encounter those who I pass, whether by chance or by choice, the mark I leave, if any, is one that would honor the kind, outspoken, strong, and confident woman who raised me in a way that would make us both proud.

In your life’s journey, what marks are you striving to leave behind? And does it make you proud?

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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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4 Comments
  • Patty@NYC Girl at He
    August 17, 2010

    You're mom was a wonderful person. I mostly know you from the blogs but when you described her, I saw a lot of you in her description. I'm sure she is so proud of you. It meant a great deal to meet you at Blogher even if it was a short conversation in a hectic day for all of us, you were warm and sweet. You touched me. Hope I get to see you again soon xo 🙂

    Reply
    • Carol Cain
      Patty@NYC Girl at He
      August 20, 2010

      Thank you Patty. That is the biggest compliment anyone has ever given me. Those are big shoes to fill. I can only wish to be that wonderful. Thank you.

      Reply
  • Annette Davis
    August 20, 2010

    This is beautifully written. I'm saving this. My mother is an incredible woman. You've re-opened my eyes to that in my busy world of living. Thank you for sharing your heart. I now have my own daughter. Do you have kids?

    Reply
    • Carol Cain
      Annette Davis
      August 20, 2010

      Thank you Annette! Yes I do…3 to be exact : )

      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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Photo dump from our first day out and about in Ber Photo dump from our first day out and about in Berlin.

Last time I stared up at these gates I was left with tears in my eyes. It was my last day in the city, a beautiful spring day and the sunset was perfect. In fact, the whole city was and I was left with this overwhelming sadness to not be sharing it with my family. And for the first time in my years as a travel blogger, often times alone, I felt an aching pang of loneliness. This moment would be the motivating factor to figure out another way. To travel in a way that made ME happiest and truly fulfilled me.

For a lot of people solo travel is their thing. And I think the courage and lessons gained from doing so are powerful and life changing. I am glad to have learned from all the years I did so.

But I really most enjoy traveling with my kids or husband. Not necessarily because it’s easier or even cheaper, but because I love watching them navigate these new experiences. I love the easy willingness with which they will practice a local language they’ve never studied on an unsuspecting local just trying to ask them if they are paying cash or card…or the confidence in learning how the local transportation works…or the willingness to try new foods…or the ease with which they roll with mishaps or getting lost or plans not working out, but most of all, I look forward to watching them fall in love with places that I’ve falling in love with, like Berlin, or when we fall in love with a new place together.

All this to say, how you travel, how often you travel, where you go, what you spend - these are things that should matter to only you. No one is better or worse, or luckier or less fortunate for doing it differently.

I have been to Berlin 3 times. But this moment, with these people, was a dream in the making for years because as great as this city is, they were really the missing link to making it absolutely amazing to be here for me.

Can’t wait to share more photos from our shenanigans here!

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Featured are: Views of Dryden Lake (in the rain!), scenes from @underhill.farm (for a country stay, blueberry picking, and sheep!), @hopshirebrews (for photos but also a drink to cool off!), then we stopped at the super cute @thebigsbymarket where we got the sweetest peaches ever! 

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