Adventures Gone By

Summer 2012

I wasn't going to address the gap in-between posts but it's like not addressing the elephant in the room. It's there, hanging out, screaming for attention. Here it is. Almost 3 years. I have a lot of excuses. They sound pretty plausible, but really, are they? Probably not. So I'll leave them out. But I'm back.

Summer 2012

A lot has happened in 3 years. I had every intention of writing about it. There were so many adventures. Whitewater rafting, kayaking, 25-mile bike rides, the Nutcracker Ballet, Cirque du Soleil, group painting events and the biggest one of all - my return to Paris, not just once but twice - yes, twice! - for Christmas in 2012 and again in April of 2014. Most of it all has been great. Most of it. 

Through it all, like so many of my events, my father, Bob, was right there with us for most of it. Whitewater rafting? He was steering. Kayaking? In the Kayak. And in the water. Twice. Tipped that kayak right over. The ballet? Cirque du Soleil? Paris? Yes, yes and Yes. Just the first time though. I was most surprised about Paris but yes, he didn't want to miss out. Who could blame him? It's Paris!

Paris December 2012

Bob always loved hanging out with us - Mike and my friends, or as we call them, the girls. He had names for many of them and would always ask if they were coming over or if I was going to see them. There was "The Bod", "Funk", "The Doofus Award Winner" (you girls know who you are). When we had parties he loved to be there. He was just like one of the gang.

April 2014

We had plans. Breweries to try, wineries to see. Scotland. We just ran out of time. 

Bob was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) in August of 2013, a type of cancer where the bone marrow doesn't make enough healthy blood cells. We signed up with the Icla da Silva Foundation in March in the hopes of having a bone marrow drive for him. Sadly, it was too late. He passed away on March 15, 2014. 

We continue our mission of raising money in his name and our team, Bob's Mustaches, partner with the Icla da Silva Foundation, in the hopes of raising awareness and encouraging people to sign up to become donors so that one day, others in need of bone marrow will hopefully find their match. 

May 2014

*While writing this, I stumbled upon an unpublished blog about the adventures we had taken with Bob. Coming soon....the forgotten Summer of 2012.*

For information on how to donate, how to become a donor, or on the foundation,  please visit the websites below:

www.crowdrise.com/melissabauernfeind
Bone Marrow Donor: www.icla.org

Bone Marrow Donor: www.bethematch.org