Remembering Papa

I spent countless Sundays sitting next to Papa at church throughout my life. He always reached for my hand or tucked me under his arm to remind me of how much he loved me. When I was little, he'd even let me doze off on his shoulder sometimes. He loved nothing more than being with his GRANDchildren. Anyone who knew Papa knew his favorite role in life was being a Papa. 

Papa always felt larger than life to me, so being tucked under his arm or wrapped under his jacket made me feel cozy and safe. He was always the best dressed man in any room. Not only did he dedicate 40 years to his career at Tom James, a high end custom clothing company, but he also simply had a knack for it. He appreciated high quality fabrics, mixing prints and patterns, and traditional dressing. When I think about Papa, I can't help but think about his clothes. He valued how he presented himself to the world because he valued people. He poured into those around him. He never met a stranger and treated everyone with kindness and compassion. I wanted to be just like him. Papa was an incredible leader, story teller, adventurer, and lover of people. He was kind, intelligent, hard working, and dapper. I was honored to have Aaron Meyers as my grandfather. He poured his time, wisdom, and love into me. Not only did he teach me to dream big, but he truly believed in me.

The final few months he was able to attend church after his cancer diagnosis in 2025, Papa wanted to sit very close to the front...many rows up from our old comfortable "usual spot". I remember soaking in every minute next to him. I think he was soaking every minute in too. We'd hold on to each other so he could stand for worship as long as he could. He didn't have the strength to sing more than a few lines which never failed to bring tears to my eyes. Somehow he still seemed stronger than me at his physically weakest moments. During the service I'd wrap my arm around his like I'd done throughout my whole life. If I close my eyes I can still feel the comfort of his sport coat.

On the day of Papa's funeral, I wore one of his sport coats over my shoulders. I chose a timeless tweed that reminded me most of him. I kept the pocket square he'd selected right where he left it in the breast pocket. His jacket was the security blanket I needed to get through that heavy day. I felt like he was right beside me just letting me borrow the jacket for the moment. Weeks later the idea to alter one of his jackets sparked. He was an extra-large, and I'm an extra-small, so it would be quite the undertaking. I knew there was only one company I could trust with the job, so I went to Tom James in March. Our clothier and old friend Sheila guided me through her plan while pinning the jacket for a slimmer fit. It seemed like more fabric would go than stay! Since tailoring the jacket down to an extra small was impossible, we planned to create an oversized fit appropriate for my small frame. She dropped the jacket off with Tom James' expert tailors, and I waited to see how small they could make such a large jacket.

Two months later, I picked up the sport coat. I could not believe how fantastic it looked! I usually don't opt for the larger boyfriend fit in my jackets, but there is something so special about this one. The wide shoulders and slightly oversized body instantly remind me that this sport coat did not originally belong to me. As I've gotten older, I've developed a greater appreciation for the quality and intentionality in the way my grandfather dressed. I believe your wardrobe tells a story about you. I want mine to be filled with special pieces that carry meaning. My new old sport coat will be one I treasure for a lifetime and pass down one day. I know I'll never forget Papa, but wearing pieces from his carefully curated closet are a sweet reminder of him. Grief is the price of love, and what a gift it is.

There is not enough space or time for me to write out how much my grandfather meant to me. I don't think I'll ever feel that I've conveyed enough honor, gratitude, and love. But that just shows how truly special he was. I wanted to end this post with the tribute I wrote when Papa passed.

"My world will never be quite the same without Papa.

Papa has always been the pillar of the Meyers family for me. A constant. A solid rock. He was smart, hard working, generous, kind, a lover of people, a storyteller, and always the best dressed in the room. He loved old westerns, playing golf, and reading books. He traveled the world, took countless photos, and prioritized his family over everything else. He was my hero. He still is.

Papa's faith and obedience to God dramatically impacted the trajectory of his family. I am reaping the generational blessings he paved the way for. He and Mimi prayed over each one of us at the breakfast table each morning. I needed those prayers. He taught me to fully trust in Jesus with everything I have. He ran his race well.

If you knew Papa, you know he loved being a Papa more than anything on earth. His kids, grandkids, and great grandkids were his whole world.

My childhood is filled with memories of playing dog pound, going on stick horse adventures, and watching cartoons on Saturday mornings at the condo. Once he retired, our summers were filled with pool days, sleepovers, and movie nights. There were very few birthdays, holidays, and other celebrations that he missed out on. If he could physically make it, he was there. He fought such a difficult battle with his physical health over the past 19 years, and I truly believe he fought hard for us. He fought for more time with us with every ounce of strength he had. He overcame the impossible and endured more than anyone should. I'll forever be grateful for the gift God gave us of more time with him.

In the midst of my deep grief, I can rejoice today because I know where Papa is right now. He's with Jesus. He's with his mom and dad. He's with old friends. His scars are gone, his body is healed, his pain is forgotten, and his tears are wiped away. We serve a good God, and our sorrows here are so temporary compared to the eternity of joy that awaits us. I can't wait to see him again.

On my hardest days, one of Papa's favorite verses runs through my mind "This is the day that the LORD has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it" Psalm 118:24"