Journal of Mary Phyllis Fisher - Thomas Davies

Father and I are going down to Magrath as soon as he comes home from the temple. That will
be at about 2 o’clock when the afternoon session gets on its way.
Noel is having her baby. When he left this morning he said he thought we should go to Magrath
when he gets home. I am ready to go but he has not come home yet.
1976. June 26 th
I am home alone. Ren has gone to the temple. I cry nearly every day because I resigned from
the temple. Ren doesn’t want me to go to the temple. He is afraid I’ll say something that would
hurt him or make him ashamed of me and embarrass him. He is going to England. He says to
get his genealogy. He went last year but was unable to find much. The people are all so nice to
him I think that is another reason he wants to go. So he’s asked his grandson to drop in
occasionally and see how their grandmother is. He doesn’t seem to understand that they don’t
want to look after funny old ladies any more that he does.
Yesterday I had such a lovely surprise. Carol and Ronnie came over and invited me to go to the
temple visiting center and listen to the films they have there. I had heard the one they put on but
it was interesting to hear it again and the girls enjoyed it so much. I was so grateful they had
taken me even if I didn’t get to visit with them much. It was nice to enjoy the play again and to
be with them.
My book has fallen and gone to pieces so I might as well burn it up.
1976. November 26 th
Yesterday Barbara, Lore’s oldest child, and our first granddaughter went to the temple for her
endowments for the first time. She is planning to be married to Steve Zobell in the temple on
December 30, 1976. She is our first granddaughter to go through the temple. Ren thought it
would be nice for her to go through the first time in my new white dress. “It just fit her and she
looked beautiful,” Ren, her grandfather said.
Ren has been such a faithful worker in the temple for nearly 10 years, since February 1967.
This morning Ren read to me the story of his life that he has written. I enjoyed hearing it very
much. Perhaps I should write the story of my life but I’m afraid it is too late.
I worked in the temple, going with him for 8 years and enjoyed it so much, but I’m getting old
and forgetful and could not work in there now. Doctor Spackman told me that he thought I
should resign because of my heart. He felt that the Lord would not want me to work in the
temple now because of my health. Now I sit alone daily doing nothing so perhaps it is time to
write my life’s history and tell all my children and grandchildren how much I love them. I
especially want to tell my husband that I love him so much for his good care and the help he
gives me during my forgetfulness and the loving care through all the years of our married life. I
can no longer see to write. I have broken my glasses. Ren has put my pills on a glass on the
table where I can’t help but see them. He takes such good care of me. His memory is so clear
and bright even if he is older that I am. I must make the bed and do the dishes we used last night
and are still in the sink. He tells me to leave it alone because I’ll do something wrong. Oh dear I
am such a trial to him. Oh if I could only remember. What shall I do? No matter what it is I do
it is wrong. I’m so tired.
I’m home alone. Ren is at the temple anxious that people bring names to do. It looks like the
people will have to bring their own names and Ren has run out of names. So I have to stay
home alone. I can’t go to the sessions. The sessions are so crowded.
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