Love Never Lets Go: A Memoir
By Robert (Bob) W. Jones
“Gone to get a kidney. Love, Phyllis”
That was so Phyllis.
Concise. Caring. Sunny.
The hurried note left on the table for Bruce—her husband of only a few months—was a matter-of-fact reminder of how Phyllis Fisher approached life.
Minutes earlier she received a phone call from her attending physician. It was the call she had long anticipated and prayed for.
“You need to get to the hospital right away.”
“I can’t.”
“What do you mean you can’t?”
“I’ve got to take a bus because there is no one to drive me.”
Her doctor pointedly told her, “No. Take a taxi.”
“I don’t have any money to pay for a taxi.”
She could feel the urgency in her doctor’s voice as he told her to call a taxi and he would pay for it.
“Get here. Now.”
On the way to the hospital Phyllis could hardly contain her joy. She eagerly informed the taxi driver, “I’m going to get a kidney.” No response. As though he didn’t just hear the best news in the entire universe.
What can you do when you have no one to share your excitement with? She thought she’d explode but better not because her dream was so close to coming true.
“Bruce will be so happy.”
When she arrived at the hospital, attendants were impatiently waiting for her. As she got out of the taxi they scolded, “Where have you been?”
Phyllis explained, “Well, I had to pack my suitcase.”
As she lay on the gurney waiting for the donor kidney Phyllis was sobered by the thought that someone else died in order for her to be the recipient of this kidney.
“I’m no one special, Lord. Why me?”
Never in her wildest dreams would she have envisioned the special purpose that God had for that donated organ. Even further from her imagination was the fact she would have not one, but two kidney transplants in her lifetime, and become one of the longest surviving transplant patients in Canadian history.
How could she have known this kidney would change the future for her and literally thousands of people who would be influenced by Rev. Phyllis Ryan Fisher.
People like me.
The effects of her life are forever rippling out in ever expanding circles of love. If you haven’t yet felt their influence you soon will.
This memoir is carried on those ripples.
The memoir would not have been envisioned if not for Word Alive Press and especially Jeremy Braun. Jeremy and his team gave me confidence to publish my first book, Ornament: The Faith, Joy and Hope of Kristen Fersovitch.
From the enjoyment of reading that book, Phyllis Fisher asked me to write her memoir. Phyllis’ story will inspire others facing transplants. And others needing a writer to help them tell their story.
About this Contributor:
Robert (Bob) W. Jones is a recovering perfectionist, who collects Coca-Cola memorabilia and drinks Iced Tea. His office walls are adorned with his sons’ framed football jerseys, and his library shelves, with soul food. He writes to inspire people to be real, grow an authentic faith in Jesus, enjoy healthy relationships and discover their life purpose.
Connect with Bob:
Facebook
Twitter
North Pointe Blog
Copies of Phyllis: Love Never Lets Go are available for $15 (CAN – does not include shipping) at 14025 167 Ave. for Edmonton area residents or by calling 780-707-5569 for Continental orders.