Today we had the Moilili Senior Citizens come for lunch at the King St restaurant. The theme was "southern brunch," obviously inspired by some of the things we just experienced at Blackberry Farms. We served Hoe Cakes, Hush Puppies, Braised Collard Greens, Ham Hocks and Beans, BBQ Beef Brisket, Jambalaya, Blackened fish, Biscuits and Gravy, Coleslaw, Mac and Cheese, Peach Cobbler, Sweet Potato Pie, Pecan Pie, and Fried Tennessee Chicken. It was a little different for the seniors, who are predominantly asian. After the luncheon, I thanked everyone and reminded them of "why" we do this. If it makes the seniors feel a little younger by being around the younger ones for a while, if it makes our younger ones appreciate our own parents and grandparents by being around our elders, if it teaches the next generation that we should take care of our elders, if it makes us think that one day we will reach that age, and hopefully, if it makes us happy by giving back to our own community and makes them happy, then this is why we do it. I am grateful that our staff keeps doing it --- what started out in 1996 as a simple pot of beef stew and rice, salad and dessert---carting it down the road to the center and feeding them, to now having them at the restaurant, even after the staff had worked late the night before and some have to work the night of. Thank you to all of them, you made some people really happy today. They, in turn, always perform or show us something that the center is doing . Today, we had ukulele players playing "Tiny Bubbles" and "You Are My Sunshine" and some of the ladies doing an Okinawan dance, of which some of our own joined and danced to.
