We lost a dear friend today...

and while you're never ready to let a loved one go, we were definitely not ready to lose our friend Phil Purser to a heart attack early this morning. To say he was a friend really diminishes his role in our lives. He was family. I've known him since I was 20 years old and he has worked with Neal every day for the past 8 years. He wasn't an employee but more like Neal's right hand man. I realize that when someone dies we tend to remember them in the best light and forget the bad things. With Phil, it was only good things. He was definitely the most positive and enthusiastic person that I've ever known and the most loyal friend. When you were his friend, he loved you as a family member and he became part of your family. My kids adored him. Not many men that LOVE golf are patient enough to have a 2,3,4 or even 5 year old join them when they are playing. "Mr. Phil" embraced my children in such a way that they always knew they were loved by him and welcome in whatever he was doing. Some of my favorite Destin trips, he and his wife Judy were there to share with us. Not too many people want to go on vacation with an 11 month old or 2 Children under the age of 3 but they loved it and loved us. We traveled to Lake Tahoe together on a company vacation and as always, Phil was who we were all drawn to.

I saw him on Wednesday (because Cayden wanted to tell "Mr. Phil" and his Daddy how brave he had been at the Doctor). Like he did EVERY SINGLE time he saw me, Phil hugged and kissed me goodbye and told me he loved me. Who does that EVERY SINGLE time you see them?? I feel so lucky that he was our friend. I feel such a loss and that doesn't even compare to what Neal is going through because he spent every day with him and were really best friends.

Last Saturday he came to Colton's All Star Baseball Tournament. It was HOT but Phil came back for the next game as well. It was so hard telling the boys today. Cayden said, "So he's with God and is happy right?" I told him yes that was right and then he asked if Mr. Phil would miss us. Of course buddy.

Colton was quiet and tried not to cry and said that he was the most wonderful man that he knew and that he would always miss him. I agree Colton.

There is such a void in so many lives now. We sure loved you "Mr. Phil" and will always remember how positive and loving and full of life that you always were.

We learned about looking at the cup half full and half empty today. I asked the boys which way Mr. Phil would see it. Both immediately said that he would see it half full. That is partially right. He would actually see it over flowing and then tell you how wonderful the glass was and how awesome it was to be sharing it with you. I'm not exaggerating here. To love as freely as he did, he had to know how much he was loved in return and that is a comfort. We'll never forget you Phil and life will never be the same without you. We love you!

I think it's ironic that yesterday I picked pictures of Lake Tahoe as my blast from the past. Here are some more from that great trip with our special friend.

This was taken in Lake Tahoe. Phil has the white beard.

Shane, Phil, Neal & Ron playing Golf at Tahoe