Papa died on Wednesday.

Six days later, and just three blocks away, Ryan was born.

Papa struggled a bit as he departed mortality. Ryan (and, certainly, Ryan's mother) struggled a great deal as he arrived in mortality.

Papa was buried on a sunny and windless spring day.

Snow fell the day Ryan was born.

Papa's 78 years in mortality left a legacy of good works and a grateful family — including his soon-to-be-born great-grandson.

Ryan's legacy is yet unknown. But his journey here can, in a significant way, start where Papa's ended.

To be sure, Ryan must yet learn much that Papa has already learned.

On the temporal level, Ryan needs to learn to walk and talk, to read and write, and to throw a ball and ride a bike. Papa, quite frankly, won't provide much practical help with that. But should Ryan be inclined to fine woodworking, exemplary penmanship, or meticulous organization, Papa's reputation just might help. Ryan, of course, would still have to learn those things for himself. But Papa would be a fine example and a certain inspiration.

Papa's spiritual leadership, as Ryan chooses to embrace it, will be far more powerful.

Again, Ryan must choose for himself to obey the commandments. And he must learn for himself that so doing invites the Holy Ghost and allows the partaking of spiritual gifts. Those are not easy things to learn. But, because of the faith of his forebearers (like Papa), Ryan will find spiritual matters a natural part of his earthly home. That, in turn, will give Ryan a much-better-defined path for his personal spiritual development.

His mortal journey will not be easy. But it will be easier.

The Lord's kindness and mercy also brought immediate blessings to Ryan (and Ryan's family) at Papa's passing.

One of the marvels of the gospel is how universally the doctrine applies to all of us, yet how individually the Spirit works with each of us.

Before the Savior finished His earthly ministry, He promised that He would not leave us comfortless. And He didn't.

During the waning hours of His mortal ministry, Jesus met in an upper room with His apostles for a last supper. There, He consoled them:

"And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide

with you for ever;

"Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

"I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." (John 14:16-18.)

The world has been blessed — richly blessed — by the Holy Ghost.

When death comes to a loved one, the Spirit willingly comforts those who will receive this holy presence.

When birth brings a loved one, the true joy is a product of the Spirit's influence.

At Papa's passing, the Spirit individually comforted surviving loved ones, tailoring influence to their specific needs. For some, part of that comfort came in anticipating Ryan's imminent birth.

At Ryan's birth, the Spirit, again individually, touched the heart of each family member. For some, the joy of Ryan's birth was just a little more full because of the heritage that Papa had left.

Through his mortal journey, Ryan will carry Papa's middle name, Monroe. It is a fitting tribute to a kind, gentle and generous man.

And while, ultimately, Ryan's legacy will be determined by Ryan, carrying that name will be a fine reminder of how well Papa cleared this mortal path for his posterity to follow.