Today is for honoring my mother (Phyllis Palmieri) (Eph. 6:2). Not too many people know that my mom became an orphan at age 4. She was adopted into a very abusive family and after one too many beatings she ran away at the tender age of 16 — never to return. I can’t tell her story as effectively as she can, but I do want to take time to thank her. Mom, I can’t find the right words to express my gratitude for reaching through your wounded-ness and touching my life. I know that there isn’t another person in the world who feels as deeply for me as you do. Your love is relentless, sacrificial, consistent and passionate. You’ve loved from the heart of an orphan – one who is acquainted with sorrow, abandonment, loss, and loneliness. You taught me how to love. The saying; ‘he who loves much hurts much’ is surely true in your life. All your pain will one day make sense and the journey of your life will be seen as significant…for your hands and smile have touched many. You’ve done this by serving the ‘least of these’ (Mat. 25:40). People who know you, I mean really know you; don’t need to be convinced that you are a very special person. I love you mom and I’m proud to be called your son!
