It was the Spring Break of 2020. The suitcases were all filled to the brim. The airplane tickets were purchased. Many hopes were on the line. This was the beginning of Covid-19, so no one knew what to expect. The pandemic was just beginning to spread its sickly tentacles across the world and fear ensued. We were all set to fly to a serendipitous island in Hawaii called Lanai. However, because of Covid and the problems it caused we decided to stay home at the very last minute.

Prior to this we had been extremely excited to fly to Lanai and stay there for ten nights. It is a very special place for multiple reasons. Over the last few years we have loved traveling to Lanai. So, whenever spring break rolls around we always look forward to our trip there. In addition, there is a wonderful beach and ocean to enjoy, as well as a remarkable resort with amazing scenery and expanses. To add to the area’s splendor there are two pools at the resort and another one near the homes. However, we were planning on staying at one of the nearby houses that are available to rent. Fortunately, the house is on the resort and allows for access to the pools and all the resort has to offer. On a typical morning we would have woken up and enjoyed a wonderful buffet breakfast while admiring the beaming sun and observing the swirling ocean. Next we would have walked down to the beach where we would have swam in the warm ocean, played in the soft sand, thrown the football, or done any number of oceanfront activities. After we had our fill of fun on the beach we would have trudged back up to the resort and swam in the pools while the sun’s last rays faded. Next, we would have strolled back to the house to get ready for a delicious dinner at the resort. Finally we would have collapsed in our comfy beds and repeated the same schedule the next morning. 

However, that was what we could have experienced, not what really happened. Covid had just advanced into America only a week or two beforehand so there was uncertainty about what to do and expect from the virus. The night before our trip it was announced that the Hawaiian Governor was asking tourists to stay away. When we woke up in the morning and saw what they had asked, we debated whether we should go or not. Also we didn't know what might happen if any or all of us succumbed to Covid and became sick. (While this was going on we were still only less than an hour from leaving for the airport). In addition, we wondered if we would be able to enjoy our vacation with all the restrictions and if we would be able to fly home. Sadly in the end we decided not to go and the Hawaiian Islands ended up slowly shutting down overtime. Instead of relaxing on a warm and sunny island we stayed home and did nothing interesting.

This I believe helped me to learn to deal with and move on from disappointment. When life doesn’t go the way you want it to you have to try to not let it bother you and just move on. Not being able to go to Lanai was a big disappointment but in the end it taught me a valuable lesson: when life gives you lemons, you must make lemonade.