Well, this is not how I expected this Monday to go…
As you can imagine, the events of this past week have been devastating for both my business and this industry. Even though we’re very hopeful and optimistic that we will recover, we’re of course, broken hearted about the travel plans our own clients have had to cancel, change or modify this spring and early summer. I’m also sad for so many of you who have also had to cancel upcoming trips too. I know you were really excited about those vacations, and I am so sorry that your plans have also been changed.
Instead of showing you all the pics and posts from Hawaii and doing an awesome giveaway like we had originally planned, Erika and I going to hunker down and continue to help our team (who did amazing this week while many of us were gone!) take care of our clients who need revised vacations. You can catch some pics from our spring break on IG, and then the rest of the pictures plus all the details will come later! Our plan now is to make the giveaway even bigger and better when we do decide to post. We love traveling and want you to love it too, so hopefully one day soon, we can all celebrate travel with an even bigger giveaway for one of YOU to win!
Next week, even though this won’t be behind us (my business will continue to feel this for many months), I’ll be back in blog world trying my hardest to be a happy spot during a complicated time and hoping you guys will continue to be a happy spot for me too (as you can imagine, I need all the happy I can get moving forward!).
Thank you so much for your love and support last week. Just like so many of you, our husbands, Erika and I plan, schedule, take off work and pay for these trips and want to spend it enjoying every moment with our families. We really tried staying in the moment with our kids while also being there for our clients and team members at the same time. It was a hard week with a lot to balance, but I’m so very thankful for the people at Norwegian Cruise Line (the list is so long of how impressed I was with them this week!!!), my team at my travel agency who helped out tremendously and all of my sweet clients. We were still able to make many great memories with our families, which of course, is also so important as they all getting so big and these years are flying by.
No Let’s Look for March. We’ll punt that for this month and resume in April.
Okay, that’s it for right now! I’m going to work this week along with spring clean my house (since my kiddos are home, they can help! ). I’ll see you back here next week with a bunch of random, lighthearted happiness which I’m sure we all need.
Love you guys so much! Virtual hugs appreciated today 🙂 .
Shay
Amanda says
My heart goes out to you Shay and all other small business affected by this (and everyone else of course too). Thanks for the update. I’ll be here waiting on the other side! Take care!
P.S. At least being stuck at home I can continue through the pile of books I’ve been looking forward to reading!
Jessica says
I’d love to make a suggestion. I work in healthcare with seniors (the most vulnerable with covid 19!). I would encourage you to ha e your kids make cards, draw pictures etc. That you could mail to local senior centers who are lonely and isolated with no visitors right now. The travel Industry (among many) is definitely hurting, but let’s also focus on how we can bring light into the healthcare where those heroes don’t have a choice but to out their selves at risk every day and help those that can’t help themselves.
Heather says
Prayers to you and your family. I thought of you often this past week and hope the weeks ahead will be manageable.
Bev says
Have missed you, Shay, but always appreciate your discretion at times like this. Some get upset (not me) when “life goes on” no matter the current circumstances. You always handle matters in such a reasonable and caring way. Have a great week! Spring cleaning sounds like a good way to spend it!
Concetta says
Thank you so much Shay for being sensitive to those (including myself) who had some
Big travel plans canceled. I always respect the way you handle the platform you bash been given. Your business will
Bounce back ?
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
Hope you’re doing well, Shay! Most important thing is to stay healthy! ❤️✨
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Sheaffer Sims says
Praying that clients are patient and that you are able to work through all of this. Love you, friend.
Peggy McWhertor says
Looking forward to the “random, lighthearted happiness” that we will all need. Your posts are always uplifting, and I love reading your blog, and especially seeing photos of your adorable family.
A week ago we canceled our two week trip to Ireland. Our absolute favorite destination! We would have left tomorrow. Instead, I will be home making my grandma’s beef stew, drinking Irish tea from my Belleck mug, and counting my blessings.
Stay healthy!
Elizabeth says
When do you think it will be ok to start traveling again? Are you planning any trips for clients over the summer or just waiting to see what happens?
Kari Maddox says
It has been for sure an interesting week! Our large company desided to have all employees work from home, clean all the desks out so deep cleaners can come in. I am now sitting at home, working on my computer, reading my same blogs, but actually, this is MUCH nicer then having to read from desk. My kids are home, and I feel like Christ blessed me a little with this little “time out”
Taryn B says
Reading your blog is something I look forward to even now when the situation here in England is quite bleak! So I really hope you get back to normal posting soon!
Shari says
Praying for your business and safety. We had to cancel our cruise for June and know how this was impacting our agents business. So many changes came through while you were away. Looking forward to happier times soon!
Mix and Match Mama says
I’m sorry about your plans being disrupted!!
Joy says
Thank you for the post. I’ve enjoyed your IG photos this past week. We’ve had to cancel our spring break vacation and it’s been hard for my kiddos since they were looking forward to going away next week. But God is good and he is with our world…he will turn this around and use it for our good. We serve a miracle working BIG God.
Mix and Match Mama says
BIG God!! You’re exactly right, but I’m so sorry nonetheless for your plans being disrupted!
Mandy says
We are one of those families so very sad right now that the vacation we were all looking forward to and supposed to leave for Thursday has now been cancelled. I hope this passes quickly and we can all laugh about it soon. Praying for you and your business as well as all those affected financially and those battling the virus.
Mix and Match Mama says
Oh Mandy! I’m so sorry!!
Sarah says
I SO feel your pain. My husband works in Sports Broadcasting. It’s going to be a challenging year for us as well. I hope this doesn’t sound rude or imposing, but can I ask your professional opinion? We have a trip booked to Disney World in mid June. Do you think we should consider rebooking now? We don’t want to, but I would be appreciative of your thoughts. Prayers for your family and business! ❤️
Mix and Match Mama says
I’m so sorry!!! I’m going to add his job to my list to pray about too!! I think if it makes you feel better or more at peace, re-book that trip!
Taylor says
Your blog/words are always a bright spot in this busy mama/teachers world! I hope you can enjoy this stressful season with an abundance of family time and find the bright spots in every day! Prayers for your family and business during this difficult time, Shay! ?
Terry says
I’m so sorry for the hit your business has taken. I feel your pain. My husband is a stock broker and the sole bread winner for our family. Our income goes down commensurate with the market, which is a whole lot right now. And one of our daughters is a small business owner, and this might be the final blow for her shop. Tough times, but God is good all the time! I love Fred Rogers quote about always looking for the helpers in hard times. They’re always there.
Mix and Match Mama says
I am so sorry, Terry!!! I’m going to specifically stop and pray for his job!
Kay says
We love you Shay! I’m so happy you’re all back and that you were able to enjoy as much as you possibly could on your vacation. What a crazy time! What I’m finding here in Boston is people supporting each other as much as they can. A neighbor of ours came up with the idea of a “socially distant scavenger hunt.” All our neighbors are putting out strange and fun things in their yards (balloons, stuffed animals, skiing inflatable penguins!, a rubber chicken in Hawaiian clothes) so that kids can walk by with their families (at a safe distance from others) and find fun things scattered throughout the neighborhood. I’m in real estate so my business has been hit too, but the bright side is all the people coming together. If you haven’t read Melanie Shankles’ ‘On the Bright Side’ I found it the PERFECT light read for this time. I am so happy you’re back as you are a ray of sunshine and I look forward to your positive and inspiring posts each day. Hang in there!
Mix and Match Mama says
It’s literally on my desk right now!! I need to read it next, Kay!!
Shelley S says
Glad you had a good time on your vacation! We were supposed to leave on the 22nd on the Grand Princess out of San Francisco for my 40th birthday, but that’s not happening now. Instead we are self quarantining at home and probably won’t be leaving the house. We live in Oregon, so maybe we’ll go to the beach for the day. Such a bummer!
Mix and Match Mama says
I’m sorry about that!!! I hope you have a great birthday doing something else special with the ones you love!
Monica says
It’s very sad that people’s vacations have all but come to a complete halt – we can only pray that this virus leaves as quickly as it started. Be safe, stay home, wash your hands.
HM says
Hope everyone in the travel industry realizes that the loss of lives is more important than the loss of business <3
Sarah DeWald says
Sending all the love and healthy vibes to you and your families!
Jennifer Gould says
Praying for peace for you and your family this week! John 14:27
Farm Family says
I’m sorry about the impact to your business. I feel for all small businesses right now. We are farmers and cattle producers and the markets have tanked in a few short weeks. There is a lot of uncertainty for so many of us. Our family lives conservatively anyway because we never know what our income will be from year to year, but right now and distant future, my only purchases for my family and three young kids will be for necessities. Everyone will feel the effects of this for months and possibly years from now.
Seri says
Sending all of my support during this hard time!
Sandi Kellman says
God is still on the throne. Look up sweet girl. This is temporary and God is calling his children to come even closer. He’s asking for our trust and to turn off the noise of excess media and negativity. I’ll pray and have been all week for you and your sweet family. This is an opportunity to let Gods peace and love and trust to shine through us. Take care Shay and know God is so proud of you for all the love and hope you hand out daily. Amen