Coach & Eeyore - Like Father, Like Son

Today is the third anniversary of P.Pie’s father’s death and the second time I’ve covered it on the blog; you can re-read it here. I was considering reposting the original when I received a text message from P.Pie’s brother, Eeyore.

And that got me to thinking.

A few weeks ago, I was in Portland, Or. for a few days on business. And as it happens, Eeyore and his twin brother, Dog, live in Portland. We made plans to get together; unfortunately Dog was out of town at the time. So it would just be he and I and Eeyore’s youngest daughter, Moon Unit.

I had never really thought of Eeyore as looking much like his dad or even being much like him personality-wise.

They were definitely different people; Coach was, well a football coach. Coach was an outstanding person who showed great love for his family and mentored hundreds, maybe thousands, of young men on many high school and college grid irons.

Eeyore was (and still is) quite the tie-dyed free spirit.

Eeyore definitely marches to the beat of a different drummer. He was never a football player, at least not American football. Eeyore has followed the Dead, beat bongos in a drum circle, and finally made his way to live in his personal Mecca, the Pacific NW.

I have not seen Eeyore in at least three years. And not because I didn’t want to, as some people are prone to do with troublesome in-laws. When we both lived in California – and I was merely dating his sister – we hung out often. I even helped him get a job waiting tables.

I do not use the term “brother” lightly and I use it when I talk about Eeyore.

So when I sat across from him at the Rouge Brewery & Public House for a few beers and a burger, I realized how much of Coach I actually do see in him. I don’t know if it is something in his eyes, or perhaps it’s in the facial structure. And their demeanors are very much alike; both of them caring more others than themselves.

I not sure what it was, but it nearly knocked me down with a flood of memories about Coach and how much he is missed by all (and even now, I am nearly over come).

So to wrap up, I will leave you with Eeyore’s words, send to family & friends via text messaging –

To all my family: his love is alive and with us always. Just look at the glimmer in the eyes of our young and you can see all the good work he has done.