Surprise visitor

Just wanted to share a neat experience our family had yesterday. We just finished our Sunday School hour, during which Shelby and I substitute taught Lily's primary class. We went into the chapel for Sacrament meeting and found it full to the back and very, very reverent - unusually so. We looked up and saw President Monson sitting on the stand! His granddaughter lives in our ward and just had a baby girl that they were blessing yesterday. Our first counselor conducted and said, "I am Brother Richardson and will be conducting this meeting which will be presided by President Monson. I didn't think I'd ever get to say that one in my life!" We all laughed, including the prophet. The meeting opened with a patriotic song, I can't remember which, but that combined with his presence and our whole family sitting there together sharing this experience turned on my water works. President Monson's great - granddaughter was blessed first. He is a big man, as we all know, but I was surprised to see him a little unsteady on his feet. I guess he is about 88! I couldn't help but think of the little priest that was able to hold the microphone, and several of the ward members that joined the family circle and how they would remember this moment for the rest of their lives. The meeting went on as regularly scheduled, including youth talks from a 14 year old girl and 12 year old boy, followed by a newly wed couple. They all gave beautiful talks with just small hints of nervousness. The prophet then spoke for a few minutes. He talked about his widows and giving service - much of what we have heard in conference. But drawing from his strong spirit in the room was exceptional. He said that he knows that widows and orphans have a special place in the Lord's heart and that He wants us to take extra care of them. I told that to my Grandma Cain today and it made her cry, which made me cry. Anyway, after the meeting, we all rose and he left the podium and gathered up his wife, both of them surrounded by security, and left. Lily was sad for several hours after the meeting because she wanted to meet him personally. But she will always remember this neat experience. We talked afterward about how reverent the ward members were, and how loudly everyone sang. It was really beautiful. Anyway, thought I'd share - love you all!