A Long and Winding Road...

Terry Lynn Tuck

June 14, 1949 - March 26, 2010

Have you ever known someone that upon meeting them you instantly knew you would like to be more like them?  Maybe it's their open heart, open mind or open arms... maybe their sense of style and grace... maybe their wit, wisdom or candor... or just their stories of trips taken and people met... welllll, my Mother-in-Law had all of these and more.  Sadly, tragically, suddenly she was taken from this Earth and escorted to the Heavenly realm just a week and a half ago.   

I think we're all still in shock and probably will be for a great while.  There's just no way to comprehend it, no reconciling the possibility of her not being here to call, to visit, to share holidays and recipes and books and prayers with.  As Terry's best friend LeAnn said to me at her memorial service "God is tricky"... there's much we just cannot understand as mere mortals.  God has a plan for Terry... luckily for us, part of His plan was for her to be on Earth and marry a most wonderful man and parent three amazing children.  We are blessed and changed for having had her in our lives for as long as we did and now she's on to the next task, blessing and changing the lives of others around her in Heaven.  I'm guessing she's speaking some Spanish and enjoying some great music (LIVE John Lennon again!) and food (NOT gluten-free) and catching her father up to speed on what her husband and kids are up to.  

As an homage to Terry, who could find beauty in not only the rose but the thorns, I must say that through her passing a great many people have been brought together, relationships mended and gaps have been bridged.  It is truly a testament to who she was as a person.  As a mother typically is, she was and is the glue that brings and keeps the family together... we just have a wee bit more leg work to do. Happily.  

As a lovely gesture, her husband Tom asked that donations in her name were made to my brother's orphanage which she so passionately cared for.  Her generosity continues!  You can see the message from my bro at his website: www.graceorphanageafrica.com .  Thanks, Bud!

Lastly, as her obituary so eloquently stated: Words can't represent the magnitude in which Terry will be missed, as an absolutely incredible Mother, Wife, and Friend. In her memory, please don't miss an opportunity to express love to those dearest to you.