No Worries Hawaii
November 16th, 2009 by Connie RobertsA week away on the Big Island of Hawaii courtesy of a Twitter contest held by Marriott – a once in a lifetime dream, instead a week of learning life lessons and the meaning of No Worries, my quick recap:
- I won a 6 day, 5 night vacation to Hawaii for two from Marriott via Twitter (@marritthawaii).
- I chose to take my 10 year old daughter and my mother with my husband and me and add an extra day.
- My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer on October 16th. The trip was seen as a blessing for her to relax and enjoy herself before surgery and treatments.
- During our flights (4 in total) to reach Kona on the Big Island, my mom started to feel sick to her stomach. We thought it was because of traveling so long.
- When we arrived at our hotel, we got her to bed with some medicine for her stomach and to rest. By the next morning, it was apparent that we needed to get her to the hospital right away. She and I went via ambulance.
- At the ER, she was tested for everything, including blood clots, infections, etc. All tests came back fine and she was released with the diagnosis of “confusion” due to travel and jet lag.
- She remained pretty sick most of the week and spent only part of one day in the lobby, out to Walmart (yes, even sick and in Hawaii, you can’t keep my mom away from shopping!) and a short visit to the hotel restaurant where she ate practically nothing.
There’s a saying in Hawaii, No Worries. Instead of saying, no problem or it’s alright, when you apologize or say that you are sorry about something, that’s the reply you’ll get. No worries became my life lesson on my vacation. I was so anxious about my mother, about not taking my USB cable for my camera, about losing my photos (yup, they’re still gone), about Shawn getting stung by a bee (he’s highly allergic and the Paramedics had to come for him too the same time I was at the hospital with my mom), about not working, about how and when we’d get home because of my mother being sick, about life in general, that I almost missed out on having a good time.
This photo below is a close up view from our hotel room:

Instead when I felt that nudge of concern coming over me I remembered, No Worries. When my brain felt like it would explode, I chanted, No Worries. In Hawaii, No Worries and now at home, No Worries. It’s more important about being there in time, in place, with those you love, with those you want to be around, than to spend time being nervous. It’s more peaceful when you believe in No Worries whether you’re in peaceful Hawaii, or in the middle of a busy emergency room.
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I’m a wife and mom of two daughters. My daughters are 12 years apart so that keeps me quite busy and a little crazy at times. My life is a jumble of mixed up mishaps, but it’s always centered around my family.



















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November 16th, 2009 at 9:58 pm
Sorry to hear your Mom wasn’t feeling well
November 16th, 2009 at 11:47 pm
Hey Connie.
Wow. Sometimes you have to wonder if it would be better just to stay home?
So sorry to hear of your mom’s diagnosis and rough time while on vacation. I hope things are simmering down for you now that you’re home.
November 17th, 2009 at 10:05 am
Oh, I’m so sorry about you mom and the other mishaps during your vacation!
November 17th, 2009 at 10:47 am
Hope your Mom is better. FYI there’s even an island guidebook out called No Worries Hawaii. Good attitude, sending Aloha, Barb
November 17th, 2009 at 6:39 pm
::big hugs::
Thinking positive thoughts your way! and maybe a “Hakuna Matata” instead of another “no worries.”