Today we are at a family reunion visiting my parents’ ward—the ward I grew up in.
I had worked hard to be on time with the kids. We were—albeit only barely. I let them out on the side of the road, parked, and walked in briskly.
Made it just in time. That’s when I got filled in.
“Look at the stand.”
I didn’t get it right away. But it was apparently the 7yo who noticed first.
“Is that old man on the stand President Nokes?”
My wife shushed her politely, hoping no one had heard—sure it wasn’t President Oaks.
It was.
Let’s get a few things out of the way, then.
President Oaks did not interrupt the meeting. He didn’t share thoughts or offer testimony. He was just there—attentive, and worshipping.
He seems to be in good health. He smiled a great deal, interacted warmly, and listened attentively. He is also 91. He brings two walking sticks with him and holds them. He checked his hearing aids a couple of times. Even though he was quiet, I could still hear his rich “amen” after the prayers. (I listen for it in general conference, too.)
Sister Oaks, on the other hand, stole the show. She was bubbly. She made comments. She was thoughtful about repentance, mercy, and how the two interrelate during Sunday School. I did not know this, but apparently our ward has youth and her home ward does not. (Our stake is in an area with many older retirees, and only two of the wards in our stake are family wards to ensure that the youth have enough people to have a good program.) As such, Sister Oaks has adopted this ward, the youth, and the young women in particular. She seemed to know everyone.
It was a very normal, abnormal Sunday. I told my 5yo, “do you see that guy? That’s President Nokes!” (That’s the 5yo’s name for him, which we’ve all adopted.) 5yo said right back, “yeah, he’s one of my favorite presidents!”
Despite the minor hubbub, it was a good, lovely sabbath. The Sunday School lesson was rich. The songs delightful. The meeting simple, and lovely. (And it wouldn’t have been a Sunday without at least one or two off-kilter testimonies, and we even had those!)
I’ll just mention one thing about today’s otherwise-very-normal service.
My 7yo daughter was the first to notice that President Oaks was in attendance.
During the sacrament, someone got skipped. I noticed, and tried to signal. The bishopric was focused elsewhere, and the deacons and priests too. But President Oaks noticed right away.
I think there’s a little lesson there.
It is the little one that notices when someone special is near.
And it is those who are responsible for the care of the flock who are first to notice when one of the lambs is in need.
A very normal, abnormal Sunday.