It is a strange combination of feelings for me. I am sad because I will miss him. But I am also happy for him. Talk about a life well lived.

I was lucky enough to have had a personal encounter with him as well as serve with his grandson on my mission. I have some experiences on my website:

www.graceforgrace.com

Sunday was an odd day...and I hope I can share this with the right tone.

On Saturday the bishopric announced to our ward through email that one of our ward families is facing a crisis. The husband (in his 50's) is facing prostate cancer, to an extent that the doctor said, 'Go home...there's nothing I can do for you." He has about two weeks to live. His wife (late 20's) just had their first baby earlier this month. He can't work, and is now bed-ridden--she doesn't have a green card, or a drivers license, or any employment prospects, and, of course, has a newborn.

Throughout Sunday, the conversation between us and other ward members before during and after church was this family--who was going to visit and when, and what to bring or do. Until about 7 PM when the conversation through phone calls abruptly switched to Pres. Hinckley's passing. Understandable, of course, but still... My response: "Um, hey, can we get back to the subject of this family in our ward?"

I hope everyone in the Church will keep things in perspective: a person who passes away peacefully at 97, who lived a full life and who leaves the Church in a better condition than when he found it, is not a 'tragedy'. Would that we all lived such a life! There are many other true 'tragedies' around us every day, and I believe Pres. Hinckley would be the first person to say that his passing is no cause to 'mourn' and be sorrowful, not when there are other circumstances in every ward in every country that provide adequate reason to mourn...