Over the past few years I've had the privilege of getting to know Philip.
I am inspired by him & his amazing music, his ability to make
the perfect cup of coffee & train all of the
baristas at Quills, & his love for Christ &
his servant's heart for the growth of our local church,
Sojourn.
He's seriously the coolest!
Age 24
Wantagh, New York
***
What is your favorite childhood memory?
I think back to growing up in south Florida and spending every afternoon
after school with the rest of the kids in my neighborhood. We did everything
together-ride bicycles, play baseball, go to the park, play street hockey, go
to the gas station for a Coke, climb trees, build club houses, and buy baseball
cards. All from the hours of 3:30 to 7pm, Monday through Friday. We didn't get
bored.
If you were an animal what would you be?
A fox. Foxes are sneaky, subtle, and clever (at least the cartoon
versions). They aren't dominant or aggressive, but are able to take care of
business when necessary. They have quiet strength. I love everything about
them.
What is your favorite childhood memory of your dad?
For some reason, I always think back to the time when I tagged along
with Dad to run an errand on Christmas Eve. He had to pick something up from
his office, and somehow I convinced him to take me to Sbarro for lunch
afterward. A homeless man with a $30 guitar approached us outside of Sbarro and
said he was looking to get some money to pay for a hotel room on a cold
Christmas Eve. In exchange, he'd play "La Bamba" for us on the
guitar. Dad gave him a dollar, and he played "La Bamba". Then he went
on, wishing us a Merry Christmas, and we went into Sbarro and ate lunch. The
owner's kids were there, watching "A Charlie Brown Christmas" as their
father baked pizzas all day for the twelve or so patrons who would likely end
up eating in a downtown Nashville pizzeria on Christmas Eve. Then Dad and I
went home, back to the Christmas music, back to the rest of the family, back to
traditions, back to the anticipation of the morning to follow. There wasn't
anything special in particular about that trip, but it's always been vivid in
my mind. It was just one of the countless times that Dad made it a point to use
mundane, ordinary events to spend time with me. And that made it special.
What are you obsessed with?
Country music. Old-time country music, that is.
Most poignant goal for the next five years?
Start a family, make records, serve the church.
What is your favorite item of clothing?
I have a pair of boots that I really enjoy.
If you could stop only one injustice what would it be?
Sex trafficking. It seems that evil is put on display most vividly in
this industry, and it devalues human life on multiple levels.
If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?
Kentucky. Have you ever been here? It's the greatest place on earth.
What is your favorite thing to chew?
Food, of course. Most recently, one of my favorite things that I chewed
was a slow-braised beef cheek from a restaurant called
Decca.
If you could only do one thing every day for the rest of your life what
would it be?
Be present with those I love.
What is your manifesto?
To be a steward of what I've been entrusted with.
When you think of adventure what comes to mind?
Traveling across the country, playing music
for folks
Disclaimer:
This post is part of a series. The questions are designed to provoke
memories and thoughts that will expose the subject’s sense of self,
and the pictures are always going to be self portraits, contributed by the subject,
therefore showing them just as they wish to be shown.
