Everything I Like Causes Cancer

Our friend Phil passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Monday afternoon. We're all still in shock.

Phil was in his early 40's, just two years ago married a beautiful red-headed Irish girl (whom he appropriately called "Red"), and had a great son who was always, always with Phil, at least until he became a teen-ager and realized we weren't cool.

Phil was a larger-than-life guy. He always had the biggest, most genuine smile on his face. As a salve to our souls we pored over old photos at Red's parents last night and none of us were surprised to find that his expression in every one was the same as this. Every single one.

I've been writing this post in my head now for days and haven't been able to put it on paper. I just went over Kimchi Central and I can't say what I need to say as beautifully as Amy did. I wasn't even sure what I was feeling until I read:

Phil and I were close for a period of time, but as it happens, situations change and people change and next thing you know, you've lost touch. That's how I felt last night. I immediately remembered the nights me and LM and Phil would go out to listen to "Double Dutch Bus" and dance and we had such a good time. Then I remembered that the last time I saw him, which was just a few weeks ago, I only said hello and goodbye. It's hard to stay in touch sometimes and I think it's a natural progression to move on as we grow and change. Change is a double edge sword. Life is nothing without change, good or bad, but it does take it's victims.