In "A Year in the World: Journeys of a Passionate Traveller" by Frances Mayes, the author reflects on the significance of travel and exploration. She reminisces about her mother, who had limited opportunities for travel but cherished the letters that connected her to the wider world. These letters, tied with ribbon and stored in her desk, symbolize the longing for adventure and connection to places beyond her reach.

The mother's advice to "go" when given the chance embodies a timeless message about embracing opportunities. Despite her own constrained experiences, she encourages her child to seek out the world, highlighting the importance of adventure and the pursuit of one's passions in life.