Bryan Polland

Eulogy from his brother Joe:

As I’m unsure if I will make it to the end of the speech. I want to first start with thanking everyone here for showing their support and honoring my brother. For their thoughts for my family, my brothers, my sisters, my mom, my dads, my niece, his boys Nash and Wells and for Randi. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Growing up most knew me just as “Bryan’s little brother”. It was a title I wore with pride. See I was never good with people, I was never good at making friends, I was never a social butterfly. But that was okay as I was Bryan’s little brother and he was happy to share his. And he had a lot of them. Being Bryan’s little brother also came with a halo of protection. Kids knew if they messed with Bryan’s little brother then they would have to mess with Bryan. I always knew he had my back. That’s the type of brother and person he was.

Bryan was this idol I had to live with. He might as well been Tom cruise. Many people looked up to movie stars or professional athletes. I looked up to Bryan. No matter what it was we were doing he was going to be the best at it. You knew it was over the moment he did his signature tongue out concentration face. Whether it was riding dirt bikes, wrestling, football, gymnastics, jumping on the trampoline, drawing art, making friends, girls, it didn’t matter. But never once did he brag or rub it in my face. Never once did he not want to share. Well except if it was his clothes. He did not like me wearing his clothes. But besides that he always picked me up and gave me advice. He always cheered me on. He was always proud to see me succeed. That is the type of brother and person he was.

I could see the same when he was with his boys. His love for Nash and Wells was unconditional. No matter what they were doing he was there to provide support and love. Whether it was Nash playing football or Wells dancing his heart out you could guarantee he was always their biggest supporter. That is the type of dad and person he was.

As he always had my back I will continue to have his. For those boys my love for them is unconditional. That I will do for you my brother. That I will do.

I also know he wouldn’t want me to end on a sad note. He would want there to be a joke. He would want people to smile. Even if just a little.

So I ask you why do ducks have tails? To hide their butt-quacks.