A Tribute to Phillip
I knew him well, but I really didn’t know him at all. I didn’t stop to think about this until he died suddenly last week. I didn’t realize either how much his simple life had impacted mine — how much I loved him. His name was Phillip; he was almost 47 years old but his mind was 7. I have no idea where he was born, or anything about his family. He lived in a group home for those who needed assistance. Forrest Gump would be an apt description of Phil. His life was simple but he knew the whole town and he knew who was special to you and he would update you on their lives.
A conversation might go like this: “Debbie? Her sad, her car broke.” And we would talk about Debbie. He would call across campus to me. I couldn’t be in a hurry with Phillip, he didn’t understand that. He was never in a hurry. He was at every event in town – greeting and loving. Phil’s love and life brought out the best in that little Texas town. When our kids would visit their “Texas Parents” after we moved, he would always ask about us. “Where your dad? Where your mom?” Then he would want to know why weren’t we there? When would we come to see him? Every time the kids called they would relay Phil’s remarks – always the same.
Wednesday afternoon I wasn’t at his funeral in Keene, but my heart was. I wish I could have seen the fire truck carry his casket through the streets of Keene, siren screaming, as it made its way to that dusty graveyard. I wish I could have told him once more how much I loved him. I didn’t realize how much his simple life impacted a whole generation that passed through Keene. Within three days of his death more than 500 people had joined the facebook page set up in his honor. People – important people with big busy jobs, flew back or drove for 100s of miles to attend his services.
I wish you could have known Phillip, but you do. We all have Phils in our lives – and in heaven it won’t take Phil long to meet you – to find out about you and then you will love him too.
Living for Eternity
