flowers in heaven

I thought he'd be around forever, or at least another decade. When I stood in front of his headstone, lacking only a death date, reality hit me. This precious man, our prophet Gordon B. Hinckley, would be with us only a short while longer, after having served the church and the world for many decades . That was this past July, when I unexpectedly found myself standing by his gravesite. We were in Salt Lake City locating the graves of of Carl's pioneer great grandfathers, the Fishers, who are buried in the same cemetery.
The picture I didn't take with my camera, but which is firmly imprinted in my mind, is that of his departed wife's grave. By her headstone, stood a vase filled with water and fresh flowers. I was told by someone who lives in back of the cemetery, that President Hinckley places flowers in that vase every week. It was nothing fancy, just an ordinary glass vase containing fresh flowers. It was, however, an eloquent expression of love, which touched me to the core. Pondering the beauty and reality of eternal love, I forgot to take a photo of that grave.
After a lifetime of service to our Savior Jesus Christ, our prophet passed away on Sunday night, January 27. We'll miss the twinkle in his eye, his marvelous sense of humor, and his inspired words, lovingly encouraging us to be better than what we are. My sorrow turns to joy as I think of the flowers he must be giving his Marjorie every day now in heaven.