on my to Detroit. how ironic is that. it will be the first time I am in Michigan and Terry is in Texas! Pretty corny, but I already miss him. At least I am at terminal D which is the nicest, newest terminal at dfw.
Taylor and I frequently watch TV shows simultaneously. She from the house in Texas, me in Michigan. While we are by no means together physically, we are connected in many more and equally as important ways. We will call each other during the commercials and between shows. We will then talk for long periods after the show is over.
This is the time we discuss important events, little know facts about ourselves, or just the days events.
It was during one such discussion that I learned Taylor enjoys trains and has since about age 4. She has a fascination with them. This is another point we share. I, as a child, lived next door to the local ticker-tape / teletype operator for the rail system through our city. I was privileged to enjoy a few free rides on the local passenger train at the ripe old age of 8. Donny, the neighbor’s son, was about the same age. While he and I never had much of anything else in common, we did both enjoy the trains.
Last night, Taylor and I had a great discussion on the topic of cosmic relationships. I explained that I have felt we are all destined to find the one true love of our life. Whether we do so at an early age or later in life is not relevant. That we find that one love and nourish it, is the important factor.
I also told her, and believe truly, that God is in control and has a plan for each of us. However, it is our mission in life to realize what that plan is and act on it. I feel as though I have finally found that love and not going to let it pass me by.
Those who know us, also know I am in the process of packing. Yes, I am making the move to Texas where my true love awaits me.
I am quite sure we will watch shows together. I am relatively sure we will talk in between the shows. I am positive we will discuss all things from trains to cosmic relationships. May we never stop talking or being curious.
May each of you find your true love. ( Unless you already have, in which case I encourage you to keep working on reinforcing that love every day.) While we delve into the cosmic and the religious and every other aspect, may we be guided by the true love we share and project that to all we have contact with.
My wish for you is to be as happy and in love as I am.
Posted in Advice, Being Apart, Celebrations, Uncategorized
Terry sent this out to our friends earlier this week, but we didn’t want to post it publicly until he gave notice at work. He did today so now the word is OUT!!!
From Terry:
I just wanted to send a note to all our friends and family, The time has come at last!
Starting on May 17, Taylor Willingham and I will be hitting the road to permanently move myself and all my belongings to Salado, Texas.
We have decided it is ridiculous to wait for the house to sell before starting our life and our marriage. We are having a subdivision yard sale on the 16th and 17th.
Taylor is flying in from a gig in Montana. As soon as the sale is done and any remaining furniture is sent to the consignment shop, we will start packing the truck and trailer and say our goodbyes.
As hard as it will be to leave all our friends and family in Michigan, I look forward to getting reacquainted with all our friends and family in Texas.
I will be extending an invitation to all our family and friends in Michigan to contact us any time they are near to Central Texas. We would love to hear from all of you.
There is a link at the bottom of this letter, it is to the blog site , “Views on Marriage”. This is the site Taylor and I developed. I would love to hear comments or even entries to our blog from each of you. Keep watch of this site as it will keep you up to date on our comings and goings.
We are both very excited that we have finally set a date for our lives together to begin. I know we will enjoy the blessings from each other and the people we love.
Keep us in your prayers as we travel across the country to be together forever.
Our home address will be ;
Taylor Willingham and Terry Crain
PO Box 1255
Salado, TX 76571
I will send phone numbers as soon as we get the cell situation resolved.
Our love goes out to all of you.
Terry Crain
Not having much to do this time of year, I became restless and depressed. Partially to blame was the lack of a plan to see Taylor. Part of the blame was the Easter holiday. Families all joined together on Sunday. Each with their own traditions, all the family joined and celebrating.
My celebration with my daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter, was held before the holiday, at one of our favorite restaurants. We had a great meal, enjoyed the closeness of family and reveled at the talent my granddaughter has for naming all the mounts displayed in the restaurant. She is , after all the smartest 14 month old, ever to be seen.
While the time with them was valued and precious, the holiday itself was empty. I awoke, dressed and prepared for the Easter church services. Taylor called and I talked with her for a while. We separated with our “I love you”s and she, as I, finished getting ready for church.
As I entered the lobby, I was greeted by a few people, shook hands and made my way to the familiar pews I used to share with my family. The feelings swarmed me as I watched families and longed for the closeness they were taking for granted. I wept as we started the first hymn. The whole service was being provided for strength and the reassurance of Jesus rising from the dead. Yet, I felt alone amongst a packed sanctuary.
As I drove home, the emotions rose again, and again tears filled my eyes. When I got home, the only thing I wanted was a connection to my love. I sat down and wrote out all of my innermost feelings. The depression, despair and feelings of loneliness and the lost feeling from not being close enough to see Taylor. Part of the feelings were fueled by the fact that we had no plans scheduled for a visit. My lack of vacation time and her very busy and hectic schedule had forced the issue away. After sending the e-mail, I felt a regret for the feelings I was subjecting her to. After all, she was not at fault,. This was my problem. She was loving and calming as we talked. She reassured me that we would have plenty of holidays together. She was right, yes I knew that and I loved her for setting me straight.
The following few days were back to normal, except the lost feeling kept creeping back into my nights. When on Monday night, my brother called and asked what I had planned for Wednesday night, I responded with the usual “nothing”. He said he had a job to look at in the area and would I be free for him to stop in after. Sure was the answer, although thinking to myself,”what’s up with Doug, he never just stops in”.
Wednesday Taylor was in Minnesota for a seminar she was presenting at. We talked and texted through the day as usual. That evening she called and as we talked, Doug called on the other line. She suggested I call her back “When you get rid of Doug”. He said he was a few minutes away and was I still up for a visit? Sure I was, “the door is unlocked and the front light is on”
A few minutes later, he knocked, entered the house and called out.”Heh, grab some glasses. I stopped at Mackinaw Brewing and picked up a jug”. From behind him I heard a very sweet and loving voice call out- ” better get three , I want to try some too”.
Taylor had scheduled a flight immediately after her session in Minnesota, to O’Hare then on to Traverse City. She was there to surprise me and lift my spirits. She was the most welcome sight I could have ever asked for.
She stayed for a week, and we had a wonderful time seeing the area and re experiencing our love for each other. O Saturday night we went to a party the local Oldies Radio station was putting on. We danced until they pushed us out the doors.
Before leaving, we made plans for events I would do to keep me busy until we see each other again, or the house sells and I am able to move to Texas.
Taylor endured the grueling four flights as she backtracked her way to Texas and home, only to find her car dead in the parking lot. So much for good deeds going unpunished.
She is full of life and as I now know, full of surprises too. I love that lady with all my heart. With good reason, as you can see. We will be together soon, God willing. Just pray for the house to sell, soon!
Posted in Being Apart, Celebrations, Family
Tagged depression, flights, joy, life, longing, lonliness, love, surprises, Taylor, Traverse City
We are separated by about 1400 miles of country.We have spent a lot on air fare and long distance to spend time with each other.We have figured out ways to connect without running up a huge bill. We, being the modern age techies that we are, have signed on with IM’s and Skype to keep in touch. The most interesting conversations seem to be between the hours of 2 and 6 am. The all night discussions and talking about our dreams and feelings are a special part of the love and commitment we share. We recently started a conversation at about 11:00 PM and finished the conversation at 6:30AM . Only to be continued with shorter phone calls throughout the day.
We will quite often connect during television shows to watch and talk during breaks, and enjoy each others company. I know we are longing to sell this house and so I can join Taylor in Texas but that has yet to be realized. We’ll keep trying and all of our family and friends will keep praying for it too.
The other part of being this far apart, is the feeling of lonlyness and despair at not being able to comfort and hold one another. The simple contact of a brush down the arm or a squeeze of the shoulder while passing in the hall. The embrace of a loved one when your feeling low or just want the warmth provided by that person. We are trying to make it through, but the days of separation seem endless and the nights are unbearable.
If not for frequent flier miles and scheduled appointments close enough to justify a visit, we would be broke in no time. Air fare is not cheap and the lack of vacation time seems to take on a new meaning. But, through it all, we keep on talking and texting and IM ing(is there such a word?). We are committed to our future together” till we are 80 and walking hand in hand down the road”. We will make it through this slight obstacle, and show the world the depth and endurance of our love for one another. Just Taylor and me!
Terry
Posted in Being Apart, Family, Uncategorized
Every morning I wake up and have a long e-mail love letter waiting for me in my in-box. It’s all I can do to keep from running into the office to read it first thing. But I don’t. I take my time. I make the bed, wash my face, make the coffee, grab a muffin and then clean out the spam in my in-box. Only then do I sit down with my coffee and muffin and read my daily love letter.
Of course Terry always starts off with a reminder of how much he loves me. Then he’ll ask how I slept and how he dreams of the day when we’ll wake up together. Often he’ll have some new ideas about things we can do together – travel, fixing up the house, planting a garden, cooking, going to events here in Salado, camping, kayaking. Then he’ll tell me a little about his agenda for the day. Lately, he’s been in inventory hell, poor baby!
He always has a few words of encouragement to get me through the mountain of work that has piled up around me and reminds me that he looks forward to helping out by taking care of things around the house. Then he closes with a reminder of how much he loves me.
It’s always the best part of my day!
Taylor
The hardest part about being in love is the part where we have to be apart. In our case, we are separated by 1,400 miles until Terry can sell his house in Traverse City, MI and be with me in Texas. It’s what we both want more than anything. But he can’t join me until he can become unsaddled from a huge house payment on a house he never wanted to live in, but bought to satisfy his ex-wife – the only remnant of “value” he retained from his divorce three years ago. It’s a huge anchor around his neck.
Better he had his retirement than this horrible money pit burden!
But that is past!
We move forward slowly toward a bright and happy future.
In the meantime, we squeeze out moments of joy together over long weekends using frequent flyer miles and meager vacation time.
We stay in touch via internet and skype – poor substitutes for human contact.
Fortunately, I am a “mobile worker” and he’s technologically savvy enough to have a wireless connection in his home, so I can strategically schedule trips to Traverse City to be with him until his home sells.
But every time we part, I feel like a part of my heart is being torn away. On their album, “The Road To Here” the band Little Big Town has a song called Stay that sums up my feelings every time we have to part.
The song is about a final breakup. But the pain of lost love is as strong as the pain I feel every time we part.
At least I know we’ll someday be united. It just is taking too darn long!!!
Here are the lyrics…
How can I bear to wake up and you’re not there
What will I do when I turn and reach for you
I’ll lay my tears on the windowsill
I’ll only cry till I get over you
But how long will it take me
Won’t you save me…and
chorus:
Stay Just a little bit longer
Till I’m a little bit stronger to take all this
Stay Just a little more time
Till I can find a way
Please stay
Will I ever smile again
When losing love takes my best friend
To wonder where, wonder how
Wonder what you’re doing
One more night just before you break me
Hold me safely
Chorus
So I’ll be a big girl and close my eyes
As you walk you away don’t say good-bye
God save me
Please won’t you
Chorus
Taylor
Posted in Being Apart, Homes and Houses
