Journal of Mary Phyllis Fisher - Thomas Davies

1977. January 28 th
It has been such a lovely day, my 75 th birthday. This evening my family, that are not too far
away, came to visit us to wish me a happy birthday. We had such a lovely time together. Anne
and Ellen and Sara and their husbands, Blair, Veryle and Ted came with their families. Lore
and his wife, Barbara and their family came too. They all brought cake or cookies and we had
ice cream and cake. They put on a nice program for me. It made me feel so happy as if I was a
little girl again at my birthday party. They say as you get older you get childish. But it was not
childish to my children, I know. They love me and are so good to me.
Ren has gone to the temple so I’ll just sit down and write about the lovely birthday party we had
on my 75 th birthday. It doesn’t seem that long since I was a little girl and going down to Grandpa
Fisher’s lake. He had a lake on his farm which was over the hill where we lived. We children
loved to go down to the lake and wade along the edge of it. One time our baby brother Neff,
went running out into the lake too far and fell down. He probably would have drowned had not
my grandpa come on his big horse and got him out. It was an experience in my life I shall never
forget for I felt it was in answer to my fervent prayer.
I had many other experiences in my life when the Lord has heard my prayers and blessed me.
When I was 18 or so years old the doctor told me because of the condition of my heart I should
not have any children. But my patriarchal blessing told me that some of the choice spirits would
be sent to the earth through me so I knew in my heart that I would have a family. Today I am
proud of my family. Tom is a member of the presidency in stake. Sara is in the stake
presidency in the Relief Society in her stake. We had 5 children go on long term missions and
all of my children are working in the church for which I am very thankful. I am grateful too for
my grandchildren and pray that their children will bring to them the joy mine have brought to
me. I feel that they will.
I sometimes feel that I have not done what I could have done. For 8 years I worked as an
officiator in the temple. Then my doctor told me that he felt the temple was too hard on my
heart so I resigned. I often felt that if I had just put my trust and faith in the Lord I might have
still been there. But now when I go to the temple the doctor still says do not over do it, to sit
down when you are tired. Had I gone on working in the church my heart might have been better
now. I guess I’ll never know. But please dear Father in Heaven help me to do the thing you
would have me do.
Ren came home from the temple. It made a lovely birthday for me. Glen and Holly, and Emma
and Jack came over and wished me a happy birthday.
Today I have felt tired. Before Ren left for the temple he said he felt I should stay in bed most
of the day so I have had a good rest. My head has been aching and so I have been glad to stay in
bed. But I must get up and eat some breakfast and take my pills Ren left on the table for me to
take or he’ll say again, “It looks like I’ll have to stay home and take care of you.” I don’t want
that so I’ll get up and get my breakfast before he comes.
Ren came home, fixed me some dinner leftovers from last night and he is laying down. I’m
trying to be very quiet so as not to wake him. I’ll write a little more in my diary book.
My arm is covered with spots where I have scratched the skin. My skin is so dry. It itches so
and I just have to scratch it. It takes off the skin and looks terrible. Ren is so cross at me for
scratching it but I just can’t help it. Before I realize it, I’m scratching again.
For ten years now Ren has been a worker in the temple. At times I am very lonely for he spends
most of his time there. Last night we had a big storm. Never before have I seen it lightening as
106