"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!!