Journal of Mary Phyllis Fisher - Thomas Davies

of the others want to go with him so I’ll just stay home and tend the children. I don’t feel able to
go on a long trip and I get so sick riding on the plane. And his grandchildren or children would
love to go. Ren has put his trip on tape and he reads it over every day or two. He tells how nice
they were to him. In fact they were so nice to him I felt out of place.
1978. January
I’m making a quilt. My grandchildren are at the age, a number of them, where they are getting
married so I’m trying to make quilts for their wedding gifts. I’ve finished one and am now
working on another one. It gives me something to do. I’m alone so much now. It is the first
time in my life I have had nothing to do not even a Relief Society teacher. Now I don’t even go
to the temple much. I’m beginning to make mistakes. I thought I’d be able to go to the temple
as long as I lived, but I’m getting so forgetful now I’m getting afraid to go.
I am 77 years old this month, January 28. I must get the dishes done. I’ll work on my quilt for
awhile. I can read and crochet. I must not act so gloomy. “The ground is covered with snow
and its cold outside. March is just around the corner so it will soon be coming spring.
Cardston, Alberta, Can.
January 28, 1978
Dear Sister Erva,
Thank you so much for the beautiful card. It was good to hear from you. Ren came
home from the temple and then went down for the mail. When he got home he handed me your
card and gave me a kiss. I think it was your card that reminded him that it was my birthday
today. My children are coming tomorrow to have a party for their mother’s birthday. So I will
celebrate my birthday both today and tomorrow.
I was so happy to hear from you, all the way from Arizona. Ada has bought her a home in
Cardston. She has been called to be a worker in the temple. She is going to take in boarders,
people who come to the temple and want a place to stay overnight. Of course the people who
come to the temple get their meals at the temple so it will be just right now that she has been
called to work there too. She has been staying with Lorraine her daughter but now has bought a
house of her own. There are lots of old homes in Cardston. People come here so they can go to
the temple, for example, Ren and me. Ren has worked 20 years in the temple but he keeps
going. I quite when I had worked 10 years. One day while I was at the temple I had 10 people
say to me, “I would love to work in the temple.” So I decided to resign and give some one else a
chance. Ren still works there. His mind is so clear he can tell you everyone who lives in
Cardston and the little towns around. Now I go with him once or twice during the week and
take a name through.
1978. February 16 th
Home alone. Jerry came over and visited with me a while. He was going to a ball game with
the Leavitt and Cardston wards. He has been home from his mission for some time. But they
still call on him as they did before he left to go on his mission to play and referee the ball games.
Ren is at the temple. He spends most of his time there. He got into the car and came home to
see if I was all right but it is now 9:30 and he hasn’t come home. I’m no longer a part of his life.
Dear husband, as long as you come home at night I’ll be happy. Sometimes it seems so lonely
when you’re away. But I want you to go on working at the temple for I know you will not be
happy if you have nothing to do.
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