Hopkins 4K for Cancer

June 21, 2005

DAY OFF
Today was our 4th day off of the trip. After a really rough day fighting through temperatures in the hundred’s yesterday, it was a welcome day off. Though I would have liked to sleep later on our day off we woke up early to a breakfast provided but the First United Methodist Church of Topeka. After breakfast we headed out to Midland Hospice, a non-profit Hospice serving a large area in and around Topeka.

As soon as we arrived, our sleepy bunch was greeted by Julie and a camera man from the local news channel. First we were guided through a tour of the Hospice house. It was not at all like I expected. First of all, to enter the building visitors have to ring a doorbell and then are greeted by a “house parent” who stays in the house during the day. The common rooms are warm and welcoming and each of the patient rooms resembles a hotel room. The beds are nothing like hospital beds and the rooms feature disguised amenities such as an oxygen port hidden behind a framed painting.

Julie guided us through a tour of the adult day care center. The center fills an important void in adult care by providing activities and supervision for adults while their caretakers are at work. After the tour we went downstairs to make quilt squares. It was such a nice release to do an arts and crafts project. We looked through the squares that the previous 4K groups had made during their stop in Topeka. Recalling our elementary creative skills we sat and designed our quilt squares on paper then broke out the puff paint and fabric markers to complete the squares. It is always amazing to see how talented the people in this group are in pursuits other than biking.

Next we moved back to the adult day care center where we had pizza for lunch. After lunch we did a craft project themed for the 4th of July. It was great to spend time with the residents but it made me miss my grandmother and aunt, both of whom are in nursing homes. There was one more surprise for us after crafts: ice cream sundaes!

We left Midland Hospice with our bellies full and a fun-filled day of crafts and activites behind us. After returning to the church we broke off into groups to do the typical day off activities. One van left for the bike shop for bike repairs, while another van left for the library for internet access. We all gathered together again for another wonderful dinner provided by the First United Methodist Church then hit the sack early to get ready for what promised to be a hot ride into Frankfort, KS.

Whenever I take a step back and think about how far I am from where I grew up and where I went to school I am overwhelmed. We are a little over a third of the way through the trip and pretty much smack-dab in the middle of America. When we reached the arch in St. Louis it finally hit me, “I rode my bike here.” I probably would be homesick by now but I got to spend my day off there with my second cousins and was revived again. Thanks guys, it was a blast! Time has flown by and I actually wake up in the mornings and get on my bike and feel good, like upon that seat is where I am supposed to be, certainly a far cry from the fist week when just looking at that seat caused pain. It has truly been an amazing journey so far and promises to get even better. That’s all for now. Time to clean my bike.

Jenn “sharps” Sciarpelletti