An Unexpected Post

When we wake up in the mornings, we never know what the day will bring. Sometimes it brings happiness and other times it brings sadness. Some days are a combination of both. Today was a sad day for me. What was an otherwise “normal” day turned tragic when a dear friend from work, Phil Bailey, had a heart attack and then an hour or so later was pronounced dead.

Our lives crossed paths when I came to work at the company with which I am employed. He taught me a lot of things about work and even some about life. Phil was 59 years old. I think one of the reasons I loved Phil so much was because he reminded me somewhat of my dad and I thought of him as my “work dad”. He went on semi-annual guys-only trips with his friends of many years. He LOVED Alabama football. He loved his wife and children. He almost always had a smile on his face. The Friday before the Alabama vs. Auburn football game, he wore a tie that would play the Alabama fight song. He always made time to chat with you whether it was about work or something else. He loved to joke around. He was a good confidant.

People come into our lives for a reason and I am blessed to have known Phil Bailey. As you enter your weekend, joyful to have a couple of days off from the grind of work, please remember to say a prayer for Phil Bailey’s family. His wife, Harriet; sons Josh, Jonathan and Patrick, brother Jim and all the other family members that I don’t know and certainly his many hundreds of friends. There’s an empty spot in our hearts today. May you rest in peace, Phil; I am proud to have called you friend.