Lilac Bushes

It was about seven years ago that I was working as a gardener on temple square for the second time in my life. My area included the runnels (man-made rivers) behind the Joseph Smith Memorial Building, the Church Office Building area, the Relief Society Building area, portions of North Temple and State Street, and the Brigham Young Park across the street from the Church Office Building. Oh, and there was one more tiny area that we got to maintain, the Hinckley's personal flower bed and tomato plants on their balcony.

I loved being a gardener on temple square. There is something in me that loves to be in good rich soil, using my hands, working hard and making things look good! I learned a lot during the two different times I was employed there, before and after my mission. I even considered going into horticulture for a time because I loved it so much.

One of my favorite weekly tasks was to go over to the Hinckley apartment and maintain their flowers. Because of security reasons we could never go over there when President Hinckley was at home, but Sister Hinckley would often be there, and would even come out on the balcony and chat with us on occasion.

It was neat to look into the windows of the home office of the prophet and see what books he had stacked on his desk and must be studying. It was nice to have Sister Hinckley to chat with about flowers, her tomato plants, and the beauty the Creator intended for us to enjoy. There was such a cool feeling, just being on their balcony.

When Sister Hinckley died seven years ago, President Monson did most of the logistical arrangements for her funeral on temple square. He knew that Sister Hinckley's favorite flower was the lilac, and so he wanted the tabernacle to be overflowing with them. We only had so many lilac bushes in the Brigham Young Park, and couldn't take all of their blossoms. So one day, my co-workers and I loaded into one of the church vans in our rain gear, and drove up to Centerville, where my boss lived. We knew that there would be plenty of lilac bushes up there, and were given the directive to go and ask people if they would be willing to donate some of their lilac blossoms for Sister Hinckley's funeral.

We spent the better part of a rainy day knocking on doors and explaining that we were in need of some lilacs for Sister Hinckley's funeral. We were never turned away, and we were able to collect plenty of blossoms to fill the tabernacle with their sweet fragrance. We attended the funeral of this humble woman who had spoken with us sweetly as we worked on her balcony.

The lilacs in town are in bloom. Rarely do I walk by a lilac bush without thinking about Sister Hinckley and the wonderful woman she was.