We are so thankful to all of you for all of the love and support: the prayers, messages, phone calls, meals and gifts. Even if I haven't been able to respond yet, please know that we are blown away by our village and all of the support we have. We love you all.

 

Today and this week we have and continue to remember him and his amazing legacy. I know some of you will be recognizing him and remembering him in your own ways too. Below we list some of the ways we have been celebrating him this week. If you do anything in Phil's honor please feel free to let me and the kids know. Above all we know that Phil loves his friends and family and it makes us happy to know the ways he has impacted you all and how he continues to do so. He has left a wonderful legacy and we are so proud of him.

 

Watching his favorite movies: Phil's favorites include Malcolm X, Black Panther, Spiderman Into the Spider Verse as well as any Avengers or Star Wars movies.

 

Celebrating his love of sports: Phil was constantly listening to, watching or reading television, radio, podcasts, articles, anything he could get his hands on. We've been listening to Stephen A Smith (one of his favorites) and even I have been cheering for his favorite teams (UNC and wherever LeBron is).

 

Listening to his favorite music: Phil is a musician at heart and every morning and evening our house would be filled with music. One of his true loves was jazz (he would play the trumpet for us regularly and was teaching Asher how to play), along with Christian Hip Hop, worship and soul music. He also knew every Moana and Frozen song by heart. Listening to music brings us closer to him and reminds us of all the dancing, love and laughter we shared.

 

Eradicating Racial & Social Injustice: Phil had a heart for social justice issues and challenging the people in his life to think critically about what they can do to make the world better for all of our children. Honoring Phil could be having conversations about tough issues, watching a documentary (or movies depicting historical figures like One Night in Miami or Judas & The Black Messiah) or donating to an organization that furthers activism and change. 

 

Food: Any one who knows Phil knows that he loved to cook and loved how food could bring people together. Sharing meals together with his family and friends was/is one of his favorite things. We've been eating cookie cake (with blue icing) as we do every year for his birthday and enjoying his favorite foods.

 

Once again, thank you for being our people. For lifting us up during this the darkest of times for our family. There are no words to describe the pain we are in but remembering Phil and his big smile and his even bigger heart brings us comfort. 

 

Thank you for remembering him and loving us all.

 

Love,

The Johnsons