What a guy!

So, here's the story. My Aunt T. just sent this picture of my Grandpa Neilson and President Hinckley to all of our family members. I wanted to know the story behind it and here's what she wrote...

Funny you should ask. Grandma & Grandpa were traveling to SLC for someones wedding with all the family members. I can’t remember who was getting married. Must have been someone in yours or Rod's family. Grandpa wrote Pres Hinckley and said he would be in town for a grandchild’s wedding and if possible he would appreciate 5 minutes of his time to shake his hand. Pres Hinckley had his personal secretary call Grandpa and scheduled 45 minutes and said, bring the whole family. The day of the appt. (I was in CA working) Grandpa told everyone that was with him to get ready, he was taking everyone out to dinner and to dress nice. He drove them all to the Church Building where they thought they were going to the Cafeteria. Grandpa took everyone to Pres Hinckley's floor, walked up and announced that he had an appointment to see Pres Hinckley and everyone just about died. Grandma was suffering with neoropathy and rumor has it, when Pres Hinckely was ready to walk in, Grandma shouted, “Wait you can’t come in yet!” Pres Hinckley asked why and she said, “I don’t have my shoes on yet”. To which he replied, “I don’t care, I'm coming in anyway”. He spent 45 minutes talking to everyone and asking questions etc and had a nice long visit.

Then a couple years later I sent Pres Hinckley his most recent book and asked for an autograph in it to present to Grandpa for Father’s Day. Pres Hinckley had the book back to me in 2 days.

Then 2 years ago for Grandma & Grandpa's anniversary I wrote him a 3^rd time and asked for a letter of Congratulations for their 60^th to which he replied with a letter and a comment to Grandpa that since he has responded to requests 3 times for us, he expected a reply to him and included a self addressed stamped envelop for Grandpa to write him back, which of course he did.

So the Neilsons have a little bit of history with Pres Hinckley and although I am saddened by his earthly departure, what if Grandma got to shake his hand again?

How cool would that be?

Thanks to Aunt T. for sharing these stories. It just goes to show what a great man our dear President Hinckley was. When asked for 5 minutes of his time, he gave 45. He also remembered our family and on the third request of him, he requested a letter back (I would love to know what my grandpa wrote to him in response.) He was a people's prophet. He loved us all. He traveled the world and made everyone feel as if we knew him personally. Well, now I know that my Grandma and Grandpa did know him personally and that is just really awesome.