A Thank You Story

Friday evening I had a remarkable opportunity to express some McDonell family thanks to an Apostle of the Savior Jesus Christ. Even making the experience better, it involves Grandpa Bill and his dear Mother and the garden spot of the west, Eureka, Utah.

Here is the story...
Ron and I were at the dedication of the addition to BYU's business school. Also in attendance were our Prophet, Thomas Monson, his counselors, Presidents Eyring and Uchtdorf and 6 of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. I had hoped for a chance to speak with Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, whose Grandfather owned the butcher shop in Eureka so I could share with him a story that connected his family to ours. As "chance" would have it, I found myself alone with Elder Wirthlin and his son in the very large banquet room. I asked if I could share with him a story from about 75 years ago involving his Grandfather. He agreed to listen. You may all ready know the story.

I told him that my Grandma lived in Eureka. She was a struggling single mom during those most difficult depression years. When she could, she would give "Billy" twenty-five cents for a piece of round steak and send him to Wirthlin's Market. Mr. Wirthlin would wrap the meat and then wrap a separate bone and give it to Billy to take home for his dog...full well knowing that their family had no dog. And full well knowing that that meaty bone would feed Grandma's family for a couple more meals.

At this point I was of course shedding tears. Also shedding tears was Elder Wirthlin's son who was standing behind his dad with his hands on his father's shoulders. Through his tears he said, "Dad, that is the same way you were with your customers in your store." And the goodness circle continues. And may each of us do our best to be a part of it.

I am thankful for good Dad's. My opinion...We got a bunch in the McDonell family.



Grandma Annie had for a short time worked in Wirthlin's Meat Market.