After my grandfather passed away, my dad and I each took a few of my grandpa's suits and had them tailored for ourselves. I have three suits of his. Each has a very subtle essence of the era in which he bought them (probably 1970s or 1980s). This essence might give it away as an outdated suit, but for me that same essence distinctly reminds me of my grandpa. And the suit is a perfect symbol for what my grandpa represented in my life - intellect, honor, pride and Clubman Aftershave.

On October 29th, Lauren's grandpa, Bill Ginger, passed away. Yesterday, I went to Lauren's grandfather's memorial mass. I went to the memorial dressed in my grandfather's suit. Each time I put on my grandfather's suit, I feel cloaked in the great men I have, or have had, in my life.

I'm sure I'll reflect on this more later, but I'm intrigued by the changing definition of masculinity or manliness. The chauvinist definitions in which I think we (men) feel compelled to live up to (wearing the pants in the family, being a the bread winner) are changing. The lines between what is male and what is female are blurred. We can either cling to those things which are the simple (again the LCD commentary) or we can gravitate toward those characteristics I am appreciating more and more from the men I have had to priviledge to have in my life - humility, honor, intellect, reason, and selflessness.

I had my grandpa's suit tailor to fit, but hopefully someday I will fill his suit in more ways than just fit.