The Passing of a Wonderful Man

Two weeks ago I got a phone call from my brother informing me that this most wonderful man had passed away. Not long after the phone call we made it out to Utah to join with other members of my family in celebrating and acknowledging the life of Bill Jordan Pope. I've wanted to blog about it for sometime, but haven't really had the words to say it. Here are some of my thoughts that I would like to jot down.

I didn't know that Grandpa followed a prompting to leave a Stake conference while he was Stake president (which he never did) to fly out to California to be with my mom, who went into labor the day after he arrived (six weeks early with my little sister who was born with down syndrome). What a loving and tender mercy of the Lord, to follow that prompting so that he could be there for his daughter during what would probably be one of the hardest trials her and my dad would experience.

I also loved the memory shared at the funeral of my mom's family on a boating trip, and Grandma crying about losing her wedding ring in the water. My grandpa simply said "Margaret, don't cry over something that doesn't effect your salvation, we can get you another ring". I've thought about that saying a lot since then.

My grandpa was smart. He was inventive and scientifically minded. He had the IQ of a genius and received many honors in his life, but that is not what was talked about at his funeral, nor what people will most remember him for. What he will most be remembered for is his compassionate heart, his serving hands, and his immensely nurturing and loving spirit. My grandpa adopted people into his loving arms from all walks of life. He judged no one, and treated every one like they were important to him. In fact, all of us grand kids joke that we felt like we were Grandpa's favorite, but the truth is, he made everyone feel that way. But I really know I was his favorite. ;)

I love knowing that I will see him again. I love knowing that he can't feel any pain or stress anymore. I love knowing that when times get rough he's probably there on the other side pulling strings for me and praying his heart out.

More than anything the feeling that I got when I first heard that my grandpa might not make it, was an overwhelming sense of gratitude that I am the granddaughter of Bill Jordan Pope, and that fact will influence mine and my children's lives forever.