As time went on, Ignazio's wife became my hair stylist and aside from immediately having better looking hair, I slowly developed a friendship with Ignazio and Ivana. Between the salon and the restaurant, my family had the pleasure of watching and being a part of the Panebianco family in some small way. Numero Uno and the salon were not only their businesses, but their home and they invited us in.
Ignazio would come out of the kitchen and slide into the booth next to us to chat, always making us know that we were welcome. He made the best (Ok the ONLY) "Filante" with penne and extra parsley that I've ever had!
A packed church last night was evidence to the number of lives Ignazio touched. Mark Pasquerilla called him a "simple saint" and I so agree. As I looked around, I imagined the stories we all could tell of how we've been affected by his acts of kindness- the special meals he made for a friend, the kind words to an anxious fellow cancer patient, the kids he's employed, the people he gave a chance, the music he played-the intangible something you felt-all of the lives he's touched during his short stay here on Earth.
“I am happy.
No complaints for this.
I pray for people who need it.
I’m fine for me.” Ignazio Panebianco
Father Mark was right...we were all in that church because we wanted just a little piece of what he had to offer, the living embodiment of the Fruits of the Spirit:
Galatians 5:22-23
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."
Thank you Ignazio and Ivana for being you! Thank you for allowing me to witness your faith and in so doing strengthen my own.
To find out more about this amazing family, visit Friends of Iganazio.
gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."
Thank you Ignazio and Ivana for being you! Thank you for allowing me to witness your faith and in so doing strengthen my own.
To find out more about this amazing family, visit Friends of Iganazio.
God's Garden
By Melissa Shreve
God looked around his garden,
And found an empty place.
He then looked down upon the earth,
And saw your tired face.
He put his arms around you,
And lifted you to rest;
God's garden must be beautiful-He always takes the best.
He knew that you were suffering,
He knew you were in pain;
He knew you would never get well on earth again.
He saw the road was getting rough
And hills were hard to climb
So he closed your weary eyelids, and whispered,
"Peace be thine."
It broke our hearts to lose you,
But you didn't go alone,
For a part of us went with you,
The day God called you home.
