President Hinckley remembered

Shell and I were watching the funeral services today for President Gordon B. Hinckley and it was hard to believe he's gone even despite his age and knowing of his passing for several days now. In some ways he's the only prophet i've really ever known. Yes I was 19 when he became the President, but General conference during my childhood and teenage years felt more like the church at home that stole my Saturdays than the opportunity to hear the words of a living prophet. He became president right before I entered the MTC, and he's the only prophet Shell and I have had as a couple, or that our children have ever known. We are grateful for him in so many ways, but one thing stands out in particular. Because of his push for smaller temples, we were able to have the blessings of the Columbus, OH temple just 10 minutes from home, which was less of a commute to a temple than when we lived in Salt Lake! Those temples mean so much to the Saints in the mission field.
I had the opportunity to meet him for my seminary graduation in 1994 (his grandson was in our class), and I can't say anything special happened when I shook his hand, but you could see the love on his face that he had for all of us. I know he loved the people of the church and the world. I was so excited to hear him announce the Perpetual Education Fund in priesthood years ago. That program, and the vast humanitarian work the church does, is at the heart of Christian doctrine. I will always remember the counsel he gave over the years, whether stern warnings against harmful behaviors, or gentle reminders to be a little kinder to our neighbor.
I mentioned his book in my "must read list" on this sight. If anyone hasn't read it I strongly recommend it. A missionary in church today mentioned being touched by President Hinckley's example of missionary service. He related the human side of the man, a man who was discouraged and wanted to come home. His father wrote him and said "forget yourself and go to work" the Elder today posed to us: "what if he hadn't forgotten himself and gone to work almost 80 years ago?" I for one, am very grateful he did.