We have both been visited by tragedy, losing a child each,
and when the cold hand of death places itself on our shoulders, there is
another hand on the other shoulder, the hand of life, joy, and consolation, we
each have that hand.
I know Phil from my college days. I know Phil as a brother,
confidant, and friend. Although I know I can never replace his brother Marty, I
can help fill the gap a little. Marty passed away recently, and he was Phil's younger
brother and good a guy as you can find. Phil inherited his goodness from his
Dad, who was an incredible man that left the Earth too soon but left two good
sons and a wonderfully sweet daughter, Tobie.
But Phil has a way to replace what he loses, he found a
wonderful woman in his wife Linda, who has supported him and given him
beautiful children. His children love him, just as everyone else does.
From that first day in 1965 in college, when we first met,
some kind of chemistry seemed to occur and take over, I had met the brother I
never had. In those 50 years, he has been there for me every moment of the day,
every day and will be as I am for him.
There are few people in this world I would give the title
‘Best Friend" too. There was Dad who did his best to help me get through
college however he could, and of course, there is Phil, Phil is my brother, my
best friend, the guy that always is there for me and I give him the same
treatment.
I remember when my son died, and I walked slowly into the
funeral parlor, and as I looked across the parking lot in a daze that first
time entering the main door, I could see Phil, stepping out of his car. To me
that was a great comfort, it was another family member who came to help me get
through the worst nightmare a parent can have. He didn't need to say anything,
his being there for Ellen and me said it all.
When Dad was dying, it was Phil who came out and sat with me
next to Dad, and Dad was happy for those few moments Phil was there. Every day
before Mother's Day, my mother received a greeting card from Phil, and every
phone call from Phil comes with a: "How's your mom?"
I'm sure we all have friends like Phil, best friends that
is, but Phil is really a perfect friend. We have shared for almost 50 years,
pain, sorry, anguish, joy, happiness, and the greatest occasions ever in our
lives. We can measure our lives in periods of time, in events and in smiles and
tears, beautiful moments that will never go away for me and hopefully there
will be much more.
And so, Phil, in all your imperfections as a human being,
you perfected the art of being a friend, more importantly, you do it for
nothing, you only gain my friendship and deep love. May you live a long and
happy life and know that for the last over 50 years, my life has been a lucky
life because I know you.
Some people are just born lucky, they can form a friendship
and it lasts forever.
There are many things in my life I value, including life
itself. I have mementos that have lasted almost from childhood, pictures that
go beyond my childhood, and memories, ah, the memories!
There is only one thing I find as an intangible and that is
friendship. I appreciate good people and there is one I truly love, my best
man, godfather to my daughter and fellow screwball, my good friend Phil.
Somewhat like a misguided Soupy Sales complete with the
dance moves of the ‘Mouse'.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfO2J6Tun5I
He has made me laugh so hard I cried and cried so hard it's
funny.
Once on a Saturday night, we were driving in the Bronx to
meet some young ladies. It was dark and the streets were busy and we needed to
get across this boulevard packed with cars. As we crossed the road we
discovered we were going the wrong way on a one-way street, and of course got
pulled over. My good buddy was driving his 1965 mercury convertible and feeling
good. The cop comes to the car and says: "You know you were driving the
wrong way on a one-way street on a 30-mile per hour zone doing 60?" Phil
answered him: "Yes orsiffer, but I was doing 60 because I wasn't coming
back!
Today he is older than when I first met him, it serves him
right, he pulled too many pranks on people, unsuspecting, good people like his
wife and myself, people who don't deserve it. But his best prank is being my
friend. I love the challenge and cherish all the times we've had doing the
crazy things we did. The consequences are just a lot of great memories!
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