Letters and cards continued pouring in and were a great consolation.

An older friend dearly wrote:
Words cannot express, or human emotions emanate, the deep and genuine sympathy I feel for you, Terry. Lifes shroud is unyielding and honors no amends; but there is a light in the offing and that is Christ our Lord.

Many letters and cards came from strangers, too, in response to the newspaper articles around the country.

 They started me on a light liquid diet Wednesday night. I had just finished eating jello when mother and dad walked in. They seemed almost more anxious to see me than I was to see them.

Nancy’s really with You now, Lord, isnt she, I softly replied. But my emotions still had not fully responded to the loss. I was not totally aware of the fact that I would never see Nancy again….

I opened my eyes to see two faces before me. Each had a deadly empty stare — unable to fully comprehend the happening, while earnestly pulling for the one life of the marriage left — the life of their son. It was 2 A.M. My folks had made it down to Tifton under the care of Irwin, and I was reviving from the lengthy and complicated surgery. Once I saw those faces, I felt secure — my folks were with me and would help me. I spent all of my energy in just watching them, and being unable to move, speak, or even keep awake, dropped asleep, not to hear their voices until morning.

"All at once, it came. So unexpectedly! I had never seen headlights moving in my direction so fast in all my life — now they flew out of control — now they were sliding and skidding…."

Terry C. Thomas provides an introduction to chapter fourteen of his book: At Least We Were Married.

Pulling up to the Marriot, I slipped the doorman a tip, and he directed us to a secretive place to hide the VW. It was a dark service basement, and we buried the car in a far corner behind a pillar and chunks of plywood and two-by-fours. Back at the main entrance, unloading what Irwin had picked up from Nancy, I soon realized the baggage was tripling or quadrupling. We had everything from a hair dryer to clothes bags, and lots of suitcases. I had never realized how many things girls have to take along on a trip.

Terry C. Thomas provides an introduction to chapter thirteen of his book: At Least We Were Married.

After eating, Irwin and I took his Barracuda over to Nancy’s where the house was as busy as ever. Nancy was under the hair dryer, but that didnt matter. We knew that the next day we wouldnt see each other at all until the wedding, so wanted to make the most of it. Several bridesmaids were there, too, but we at least got to stare.

After a few minutes, we took Tommy and drove around trying to find a car wash to clean the Barracuda. Only Irwin and I knew, but far in advance we had planned to use his car for the getaway.

http://atleastweweremarried.com

Terry C. Thomas provides an introduction to chapter twelve of his book: At Least We Were Married.

It is amazing how many little things are involved in wedding preparations. One that drew more than a nod of attention from me had to do with one of those secret surprises a bride has for her new husband
once they are married. Nancy hinted:

Sure have gotten some pretty things, too — but Ill surprise you on November 24th (about 12 P.M.). That was sort of a big hint, wasnt it?

http://atleastweweremrried.com

Terry C. Thomas provides an introduction to chapter eleven of his book: At Least We Were Married.

I can still see that day as though it were just last week. First of all, it was a beautiful day, and the yard was so green and pretty. Maybe it just seemed like an extra special day, as we were expecting you kids, and, of course, I was excited about that.

http://atleastweweremarried.com

Terry C. Thomas provides an introduction to chapter ten of his book: At Least We Were Married.

When I nosed off the ramp at the airport exit, it was ten-fifty. Nancys plane was arriving at ten fifty-nine. I was held up at a couple of red lights and finally parked the car at ten fifty-three. Watching the time anxiously, I tore up to the United Airlines desk, asked at which gate Nancys plane was to arrive, and ran — sport coat waving — tie flapping — down the concourse to the receiving area. The airport clock registered ten fifty-seven — two minutes to spare.

http://atleastweweremarried.com/