3 years.
That's how long it's been since
President Hickley left this life for another calling.
I remember when it happened- I was in 9th grade, 15 years old. It was my best friend Cade's birthday. I never forget the 27th. Jessica sent me a text that told me he had passed away.
My mom and I immediately went and turned on the TV, where the news covered the story for hours on end.
I remember crying. I remember being in denial. I remember not knowing what to do. I remember feeling sad. I remember feeling grateful. I remember praying.
I also remember, very vividly, how they quoted President Hinckley in his last moments about being overjoyed with happiness that he was finally going to be able to be with the woman of his dreams once more.
You can read more about his life
here, but all I can say is that I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to live through his leadership. What an impact he made on each of us, either directly or indirectly. He challenged each of us to live a little nicer,
Stand a Little Taller, and
BE a little better. He spoke eloquently and had a wonderful way of speaking through the spirit. Many of my favorite quotes (see bottom of this blog/sidebar) are from him. He was a strong proponent or temple building, and progressed the temple work more than anyone before him.
One of my favorite stories comes from
this address (PLEASE go listen to it!!) given by President Thomas S. Monson at the BYU devotional. It is called "Principles of Prophets" that gives intimate and humorous, as well as touching and strong accounts of his relationship with all the prophets he had lived with/through.
He states:
All of you will recall that during the last
few years of his life President Hinckley always
had a cane with him. He would walk to his seat
in the Conference Center while waving to the
crowd with his cane or using it to tap someone
on the shoulder. President Hinckley and I for
years went to the same doctor, and during one
of my visits a few years ago, the doctor said to
me, “Could you please do me a favor? President
Hinckley should use his cane for walking
because it steadies him. The last thing we want
is for him to fall and break a hip, or worse.
Instead, he waves it around and doesn’t use it
when he walks. Tell him the cane has been
prescribed by his doctor, and he needs to use it
as it was meant to be used.”
I listened to the physician’s request and
then replied, “Doctor, I am President Hinckley’s
counselor. You are his doctor. You tell him!”
:) The story makes me smile. He definitely did have such a sweet and happy spirit. I am grateful for his life and for his death that made me appreciate him so much more.
His legacy will always be remembered.
We love you, President Hinckley!
