My Always Best Friend Phil
For a short time we knew each other, he was my best friend. I know usually people are best friends with someone from grade school or camp, but I am not like everyone. Today is 11 Years anniversary of that tragic day, and this year I think about you and miss you more than ever.
E11even years seems like an eternity, just this year alone feels like a decade and it’s only July, and now more than ever It would be great to tap into your wisdom and experience.
“I have so many incredible memories of us and all you have done for me teaching me how to be giving and kind is most important to me
It’s hard to explain how our friendship and partnership sparked overnight and how much your courage and perseverance shaped me and who I am tonight!”
One day I will tell your story, and how much it made me who I am. I can’t wait to go to Elizabethtown and visit everyone. Trisha& Mike, Shawn and Bree, Michelle, Nicole, Bobby and Romig, and the rest of the crew. All those nights we spent with you and the crew by the fire with MillerLights discussing life and work and caring for everyone. The way you took care of people, the way you cared. You really changed my life, and when your life was cut short I was really lost. I am still looking for my way, and sometimes I feel you helping me find the way.
The first time we met in Florida with Peter, and just how we hit it off and spent just hours and hours talking and drinking and discussing life. Matthew was just 3 and Polina Phil's daughter was 6 and was adapted from Russia. He loved her so much and what he had to go through to bring her to America. He could not stop talking about her. I was so impressed but not just by his generosity, or achievements, but even more by his kindness and humility.
I was so nervous in hours leading up to our meeting. You owning the vertical and we were just starting to make waves, but at the same time, I was hopeful that I will make a friend for life today.
Our first trip to Russia together, after just a few days in Florida coming to see the team and what we have accomplished. Traveling 12 hours without airconditioner to just a few hours from Moscow Ryazan. You wanted to see the people, to spend time with them and get the know them. You believed in us and provided so much support, knowledge, and such incredible people from your team to learn from. When in 2008 we got crushed by clients going out of business or just skipping out on the bills when we all got crushed you still found a way to help us and support us. I knew you were dealing with lots of pain, and with lots of issues in your business, and life but you never stopped caring for others and doing above and beyond. I always looked forward to 3-hour rides to E-Town just to spend a few days with you working and figuring things out.
I remember how happy I was to see you in NY just a few days before the tragedy, sitting upstairs in Club A smoking cigarettes and eating steak. I was showing you the progress we made and all the things we finally figured out. I did not know till later all the things you were dealing with but you always had my back and helped me believe in myself and
I miss you, my friend. There is a part of you that's always with me. I appreciate everything you have done and how much impact you had on me and my life. Thank you. Miss You!
