I hope you’re having a great day! I just had to share a sweet story from our Welcome Wednesday lunch yesterday that really shows the magic of your cooking.

So, we had Michelle, an Asian woman with breast cancer, join us for the first time! She recently started chemotherapy and has been feeling pretty weak with all the side effects. But she came with a friend because she wanted to connect with other members. During coffee time, she mentioned that food has been really tough for her lately—she’s lost her taste, certain smells make her feel nauseous, and her body is rejecting a lot of foods. She didn't even wanted to try tea.

I told her about you and how your dad inspired you to cook for others and share love. When we invited everyone for lunch, she decided to give it a try. I saw her sitting in a corner, taking off her mask to taste the food. And guess what? She went back for seconds! She said, “I can’t believe it, my body is receiving this food so well. It’s been a long time since I’ve tried something I can actually taste! Please tell the person who made it that I thank her a lot. This is so good for me.”

Risa, your cooking brings so much joy and love, and it’s making a beautiful difference in their lives. Thank you for everything you do!

Big hugs,