Monday, January 28, 2008

"Prinky Hinky"


A few hours before we heard the news, we were watching Special Witnesses of Christ, and when President Hinckley spoke, Addy (with her usual enthusiasm for him) blurted out "Prinky Hincky, I like him. You like him too Momma?" I replied that yes, I liked him very much.

She went to sleep and in her prayers offered her usual thanks for "Our Prophet, Prinky Hinky".

So after I heard the news of his passing I had to wake her up and tell her. I went into her room and she seemed like she had already been awake. I hope I can always remember the tender encounter that followed.

"Hi Mom"

"Hi Sweets...I came in to tell you something that's a little sad but good. Our Prophet..."

"Prinky Hinky?!" she interrupted, sitting up, smiling. I almost broke down sobbing at her obvious affection for him.

"Yes, our President Hinckley. He went to live with Jesus now. He died and won't be around us anymore."

"Oh." She said without much emotion, (I wondered if she was or could understand it).

I went to get the picture of him on her bookshelf and held it out in front of her. I said a few more things, trying to think of how I might explain death to this precious 2 year old, and wanting so badly for her to understand what a big event this was....

then she took the picture from me and holding it in her arms, lovingly gazing at him said,

"We miss you Prinky Hinky" and leaned down to kiss his picture.

It felt like heaven. I was so filled with the joy of the spirit watching her and feeling her closeness to the spirit. Somehow, in her way, she got it.

I spent several hours listening to KSL radio and looking up talks of his on the Internet. Trying to remember moments of personal revelation and inspiration I had from the voice of our Prophet. I had my ipod and BYU tv on all day, playing President Hinckley's talks, as I worked through out the house. There were moments where I would just start crying, thinking of the influence he has had on my life. Sweet Addy would just look up at me and say

"You sad mom? You miss Prinky Hinky?" Coming immediately to wrap her arms around my knees.

She brings me such hope in the future. I had been sad thinking that she would not get to know the Prophet as I have. Then, as I looked down at her, hugging my legs, I had such reassurance that Father is mindful of her tender spirit. That he will sustain for her, (and I) a new Prophet. For this time. For our next days ahead. And my heart sings and shouts in gratitude for the goodness of our God and his obvious love for us, in giving us a Prophet.

Sometimes it is overwhelming, how good the Lord has been to me. Here, I have had this wonderful man, my Prophet, who I just seem to expect will always be around, and now he is gone. As we met Spencer for lunch, and sat together sharing memories of President Hinckley, I looked around at all the people around us. How many of them missed out on this Prophet, their Prophet. They didn't even know he was here. How blessed I have been to have his example. How blessed to even have a Prophet. How much more I need to share this great news with others. The doors of Revelation are open again! I feel like I am so unworthy at times to have been given such an easy way.
...and so it is with increased determination, that I pledge more of myself to following his example, to living the way of Jesus Christ.

Thank you President Hinckley. Thank you for putting the Lord and His Kingdom before your personal agenda. Thank you for the prayers, talks, and plans you had made on my behalf. Thank you for showing us what it means to be "anxiously engaged in a good cause." You have wasted and worn out your life in the service of God and no doubt are going to continue to do so. Thank you for staying here, a few years longer without your sweetheart. We will miss you "Prinky Hinky" but we will never forget you and your testimony. And we Carry ON!!

14 comments:

RaeLynn said...

that is the epitome of tender. I love her pronunciation of his name :) what a sweetheart.

rachel said...

and HOW old is she???? i tell ya, she acts older than my 9 year old at times. what a sweet little soul she is.
can christian please please marry her in 20 years???? PLEASE!?!?!?

Brianne & Jarod said...

What a sweet and touching experience Sara.. I look forward to being able to have those with Isaac sometime...but until then he will just have to watch his mommy cry as she listens and reads words of our beloved Prinky Hinky...

As always...thanks for sharing!

Margaret said...

What sweet comments from your daughter! I love how she pronounces his name. Thanks for visiting my blog :-)

Lakes are Great said...

There's nothing better than an early morning cry to start your day off right! addy is my favorite...I sure do miss her(and all of you)

Amanda said...

Isn't it amazing how much they understand at such a young age? The thing that amazes me the most is that you can tell they're processing what's going on with President Hinckley's passing--but they are OK with it because of their basic understanding of Heavenly Father's plan. What a blessing to have a testimony of that! It makes me wonder who will be their prophet a few years from now?

JAMIE said...

That's my little niece. I can picture the whole thing. She is such a dear and has always had this amazing spirit about her. I KNOW she understood. REally really tender and worth sharing.
I tried to do the same thing with andy, of course she can't talk or understand a thing...but she does know the spirit, I KNOW that. what a blessing

janet said...

That is a sweet story.. and President Hinckley left a legacy of optimism for us to follow... always telling us that "glorious is our future." How true that is-- especially while raising these sweet little children! What a great mom you are!

Clean Cut said...

This truly is and will be one of my all time favorite and tender memories. I don't ever want to forget it.

Jenessa said...

What a sweetheart Addy is. She sure has amazing parents to teach her the ways of the Lord. Thank you for sharing your sweet experiences. When I heard the new of Pres Hinckley's passing, one of my first thoughts was that he had been told by the Lord, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant." He sure is the most deserving of his mansion in heaven with his lovely wife, Marjorie (I'm crying as writing this). Thank you as always for your amazing testimony, Sara. I'm so lucky to know you and be your cousin. Love, Jae

val said...

So sweet. Thanks for sharing.

bentanelle said...

That was such a great moment to share with her! They are so innocent and sweet. My own Addie was sad all day because I was, and in her prayers she kept praying that "President Hinckley won't die" We have tried to explain that he already did, and she said "but what about his grandkids?" How I wish we can just protect them from everything in this world!

JAMIE said...

thankyou for adding the pic---i needed to look at that little ball of joy!
Sara, she is mini you to a tee--it is so weird! I think of you in that crooked pony tail counting to ten (interrupted of course)...WOW

Teresa said...

Awww, this was so sweet. I recently came upon your blog, and am enjoying it very much. I'm from Oregon, and grew up knowing Bry and Leslie. (We're now living in the Hopkins' ward.) I loved your uplifting talk at Women's Conference last year, and introduced myself to you then. You have a sweet & joyful spirit about you. I look forward to visiting your blog often!