A Letter About My Friend

It was Ralph Waldo Emerson who said, “A friend may well be reckoned the masterpiece of Nature.” How right he was. It is a rare and blessed thing in life to have a genuine friend. It is of worth greater than gold to have a companion that you can count on, a person you can rely on to speak the truth in love and to offer wisdom, consol, and a shoulder to cry on in balanced measure. It is a position of greatness to which many aspire and to which few ever attain. And where its value may appear to recline in quantity, friendship is rather an issue of quality. Its true beauty being found in this, while you are born into your family by lot and they have you thrust upon them, a friend has no such obligation and by election takes upon him or herself the mantel of camaraderie. Therefore, I consider myself blessed. For in this life I have found such a friend, a man of honor and integrity whose life is manifest by careful introspection and a humbling consideration for others. And so it is my esteemed privilege to present to you Mr. Gene Philbrook as such a man.

Having known Gene since high school and having spent time walking with him through many trials and hardships, joys and successes I can attest firsthand of his noble character, his genuine heart of love for his family and friends and the supreme example he sets for what it means to lay your life down for another. He is not only brimming with wisdom and discernment, but is also generous in their dispensation, offering constructive criticism and receiving the same with humility. Where he is weak, he is openly transparent. Where he is strong, he lends strength to others. Where he afraid, he confronts it with bravery. I would gladly give my life for this man and for what he stands for. And so now, I gladly stand beside him, holding him up before those who may accuse him, and speak defiantly against any disparaging thought or word and testify of his goodness and love. This is a man that should be honored, that should be commended, and above all emulated. He is a true and worthy friend.

With all sincerity,

Jason Crossman