One Week till the Big Day…. in the US; only Six Days in Europe
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Officially we are having Thursday in Europe at the moment, it is 01.05 AM in the morning, but it is still Wednesday in the US (-7 hours in Texas). I could still say it is seven days till I am going to tell my Texas family my big secret, if I was in the US. Here in Switzerland it is only six more days though, until the birthday of my nephew. I must say I am getting ready to tell them what has happened in the last 12 weeks; all the running, adventures and stories to share.
It has been quiet intense and I have not kept a story from my brother for so long. Today actually my finishing picture appeared on the site by accident and the question was: did my family see it? Well, I spoke with my brother, I spoke with my sister in law and both still seem to be clueless, if they even know they could/ should or must have a clue, or something like that. So in Europe 6 more days and in the US 7 more days to make it till the end, keeping it a surprise/ secret whatever you want to call it.
Today I met with the Swiss CF Association and it was nice to sit around the table. Hopefully I can donate some money to them, but I will know more about that in a couple weeks. The question is not really whether I can do it, but more how much am I going to donate. I feel that it is the right thing to donate here in Switzerland too, especially because the Association sits in Bern also.
I am very thrilled to go to the US. Only two more days and then I will actually fly, so I have a couple more days that I have to be quiet and than I can try to explain my adventures in some structured way. How that is happening? I do not have a single clue, but I can share with you it is going to be emotional. I would like to mention it on my blog though, I do not feel like a hero, and I am NOT the hero; It needed to be done and it was to raise awareness for Cystic Fibrosis. Did I manage? Well I only need to say one thing about this blog.
Using Google Analytics I found out that 31.63% of the visitors only visited once. That is the biggest group. The second largest group is a group that stands for 12.48% and those visitors visited between 101 and 200 times. To me that is amazing. This talks about Visitor Loyalty and well, I can definitely say that my audience has been loyal. I do know that I sit close to PR, but is it rubbing of so well? I guess so! I guess so.
I feel good, physically, and a little feeling inside me tells me, maybe I should grab my running shoes soon to go and run a little. It may be fun to do. Do I care to find out? Well, it may happen. There is a Thanksgiving Run in the US, so I may run a 10 miles race, together with my brother, in a turkey suit. I hope my brother has trained, but I do know that I am not worrying about 10 miles (16 km). You should have asked me a couple weeks ago, literary a couple weeks ago what I would think about 16 K, eh…………. no thank you.
So, about one more week and then it is going in the open. I will write about reactions and maybe I will put some pictures up. There is only one way to find out, let’s meet next week? I will write a story, will you read it?
Warm Regards from Berne
Ferdinand
Ferdie,
I am so excited about your trip to the states! I cannot wait to hear about their reactions!! Once again, Little Olaf is very blessed to have such a wonderful uncle! Looking forward to pictures, and your next post!
Love Priscilla
…after a two week of rest tomorrow your journey will continue…
Have a safe trip to your dear family, please give your brother, Olaf your sister in law, Leslie and the amazing little Olaf a big HUG from me!!
Make it yours …
xxx
Ferdi, Olaf we all know being a twin is not easy. we can find an argument in just about any situation, but when needed we are always there for each other. i have never known either of you back down from a fight; the little fella has two great guys on his side
my thoughts are with you.
Jason
safe travels ferdi, this is an incredibly wonderful thing you have done/are doing for your nephew and family! have a blessed holiday with them and in sharing the news…
andrea
cheers
Go for it man!! I am sooo proud of you! You are da man dude! I will be cheering you on! If you make it to Alabama, you have a room at our house! Give Olaf and the family a big hug from me! tell Olaf that he will have to run a marathon now, since he has already hit a hole in one!!
Much love!
Parker
LOVE YOU
Dear Olaf & Leslie,
…het is al weer 2 weken geleden dat ik Ferdi met veel trots over de finish lijn heb zien komen, WAOW it was really an emotional experience because HE DID IT!! He ran a whole marathon for CF and ofcourse for that amazing little boy, your beautiful son Olaf, WAOW he’s so sweet & pure…
Via dit berichtje wil ik jullie schrijven dat ik heel veel bewondering voor jullie heb, de kracht en de liefde die jullie samen uitstralen, you can proud on yourselfs!!
Geniet van alle aandacht, liefde en natuurlijk deze journey, de journey die Ferdinand voor jullie heeft gemaakt. Het waren absoluut 12 hele mooie en bijzondere weken die ik persoonlijk ook als heel bijzonder heb ervaren…
In gedachte ben ik bij jullie…
Veel liefs,
Christina Ank xxx
Hi Ferdinand,
I can’t believe you’ve done it! Amazing, with little time to prepare you crossed the finishline! I am sure you will make Olaf and his family extremely happy, there’s nothing in the world like family!!
Please give them a big hug from me and all the best for their son, I’ve been thinking about him a lot!
Love, Barbara (Spain)
Ferdi…..
You can do it :D!!!! Good luck and I think its inspiring you are running a marathon…..What a great twin you are :D….
Say hello to your brother and his family…..wish them the best
Love always,
Jessica (Mallorca)
Go Ferdi!! I am so proud of you and your accomplishments. Your brother, Leslie and the little one will be so proud. But most of all your helping to fight or “run” against CF!!!! Great job
I wish I was closer to Texas so I could come support you in person. Big love to you and Olaf!!
xoxoxo,
~genevieve
Hi Ferdi,
You will be in Texas when you read this, but I just wanted to say one more time how much I appreciate the sacrifices you’ve made to raise the awareness of CF. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you….. You have done an amazing thing..I’m so proud of you…..
Our Little O will be so glad to see you and will one day understand what you have done for him and will be so proud…
Much love,
Amy G.
Ferdi,
You are the man! I always knew it would be awesome to have a twin brother that would always be there!
Congradulations on your achievements and I hope everthing works out well for all.
Don’t let the inspiration stop in Texas,
Sean
Ferdinand! Ik ben zwaar onder de indruk, je familie zal trots op je zijn. Waanzinnig goed wat je hebt gedaan, op de foto’s te zien niet alleen op de dag zelf maar ook in de voorbereidingen. Gefeliciteerd en op naar de derde hè!
Have a great trip. Good thing you have done.
Jen
Giponnetje!!
je hebt je roeping gevonden.
Zoals Jaques D’Ancona zou zeggen; ‘vooral doorgaan’
Niels
Good hearing from you man. Good luck with the big news. You are an inspiration to a lot of people. The selflessness that you show to help others inspires me. Hope everything goes well and wish i could be there to see you Olaf…it has been too long.