Written Works of the late Jim (James) Kish (1956-1995)

As collected and published by his son Andrew Kish

Foreword by Jim’s only son Andrew Kish: It is 2026 as I am digitizing these memories. I am about to turn 2 years older than the age my Dad was when he passed. I hadn't read "It's Not My Turn To Die" before editing it and reviewing the OCR scans. I would’ve been under 10 during the time he wrote that book and I am eternally grateful he did. Many of the events he wrote about I only have vague recollections about. Now, thanks to his writing, I’ve been able to puzzle back many of those recollections into solid memories of which I can be assured about the accuracy. The picture I drew Dad after his first transplant, that Mom had framed, that he writes about in his book, hangs on my wall to this day. I knew it was important but his book gave it a brand new context to be appreciated. I hope anyone that chooses to read his work can get a similar change of perspective and/or new appreciation for something.
The “Fence” articles are similar mirrors to my own fond recollections. Dad would be amazed at the state of technology and I wish he had written more about “the internet” (only mentioned once in all his “Fence” articles and only in passing). I am extremely proud to publish his writing here so it will hopefully live on for many more years and provide wisdom to my family, the people of Bothwell (now sporting “The Jim Kish Memorial Theatre”), and others simply seeking an honest, pure view of years gone by in a rural Ontario town, a unique insight into early organ transplantation technology, or maybe just a new appreciation that “God, ain't life grand. Isn't the world a beautiful place to be?”