A final goodbye

Emily, Ella and I were able to go up to Salt Lake City today with Paige and Natalia to go to Pres. Hinckley's viewing. Paige got to my house around 8:30 and she followed me up to the Trax station. Well, she followed me most the way until she got behind during the stop and go portion near the end. The weather had been pretty bad with constant snow and low visibility. After getting off the exit and waiting for her to follow, I finally gave up and went to the trax station. I borrowed a cell phone from other Sunday-dressed folk and called Steve. He was the liaison between us - he found out the Paige was at the next trax station and told her to come south and meet me. Eventually we met up and were on our way. Emily and Ella were very excited to ride a train and were very interested to go see Pres. Hinckley's body. Almost everyone at the trax station and from there to the conference center were in Sunday dress - they were obviously also going to the viewing.

As soon as we entered the Conference Center block, someone was directing me to the stroller area. Everything was very organized and everyone was just following the line. We only had to wait outside about 10 minutes. Then we went through the metal detectors and started the inside line. The line wove around the entry way and into the main conference room. Everyone was seated in a section and then each section took turns getting back in line. Someone was playing the organ. I thought they were playing music for us, until I realized that they were playing the same part of the song over and over again. Then the organist left altogether. I guess he was just practicing. After leaving the main seating area, we basically went around each room, up two escalators until finally reaching the Hall of the Prophets. Emily and Ella were very good the entire time, except that Ella kept running ahead or lagging behind. They were both in their white Grandma coats. I think every worker and quite a few line waiters complimented them. As we neared the Hall of the Prophets, there were a few displays/flowers for Pres. Hinckley. One has a ribbon that said, "For our Grandpa" and had notes from his grandchildren. Mormon Tabernacle Choir music was playing in the background. In the center of the room was his casket surrounded by flowers and it was all roped off. We were able to file through at the same speed as the line had moved. Pres. Hinckley looked very small and very white all dressed in his temple clothes. It was all very serene. E&E were both very interested to see him. They both said goodbye as we passed by. Ella comments about seeing his glasses everytime we mention it. Emily said it was sad and happy. Sad because he had died and happy because his spirit got to go to heaven and see Heavenly Father and Jesus. I think it was good for Emily to see it because we were able to teach her about our bodies that stay on Earth and our spirits that get to go to heaven. And that they will reunite again. She wanted to know if the bad people would get their bodies back too - glad she was thinking!

The trax ride home was pretty uneventful. The kids had a blast though and I hope this will be something they won't soon forget. I am grateful I got a chance to see the prophet one last time. The spirit was very sweet there. It wasn't sad, just saddening to say goodbye. We have learned so much from that man and even more from his example.

As we left the conference center, the line was snaking around the outside of the building. It was nearing lunchtime though, and I heard it never let up from that point on. No once seemed concerned about the wait though, everyone was waiting calmly and seemed eager to say goodbye one last time. It was so nice to see so many people all dressed up with the desire to see the prophet despite the cold and snow. I even saw a group of people carrying a wedding dress around - how would that be?

Goodbye to a great man.