Later as the details came in the story became more clear, but it didn't improve the situation.
Her and our friend Ally were running on a road they had run on many times. They had chosen to run that route that morning, because some of the other girls they run with were going on a "dangerous" road and they didn't want to. Things are so ironic.
She was running West, the truck was driving East with the sun directly in his eyes. In a split second even though everyone was following all the rules, she lost her life.
Technically she didn't die until the next day, but she was without brain activity from the moment of impact. The waiting and decision making was heart braking for the family. She is the mother of 6 and grandmother of 2. She was full of energy and life. The kind of person who could make you crazy, because she was always doing so much. She gave her kids a life time of experiences in her short years. She did nice things for people everyday. She had the knack for being interested in everyone she knew. She was a teacher at the middle school, but anyone who knew her knew she was much more than that. She was truly involved in her students lives. She furthered her education for years and had recently received her Masters degree. She was faithful to the gospel and had a strong testimony. She lived it and loved it. She was faithful and attending the temple and doing her family history. She made a difference in so many lives. Even as I sit here and type this I can think of a million ways she touched people. Her family knew she would want them to donate her organs to help others, so they did. She saved the life of several, and in the end helped 85 people in some way or another.She was a good person. After 20 years of knowing someone it is really weird to see them go. She was so young and even though she lived every minute to the fullest it is sad to see her family and our neighborhood and ward without her.
I feel so bad for her family
This is one of those bizarre things that only happens in the movies
I am sure she was just as surprised as we all were that this happened
I know she is just as busy and helpful as she always has been
She did what she had to do here on earth, maybe she felt compelled to squish all the things she accomplished in her short life for a reason.
My heart aches for her family, because of her they have strong testimonies and lasting memories to help them get by. Life is hard sometimes, and this is one of those times!
The night before the viewing Callie had this awesome idea that we should light paper luminaires in front of their house. We rushed to get them ready, punching holes shaped into hearts on a few hundred bags. We got tea lights, we decided we wanted to start at the bottom of our street and go up and around ending at their home. Luckily a few people jumped in to help, because we were in way over our heads. It was so hot and we barely got done as they all started to come home. We did their house first so it would be pretty, then used the rest to line the streets. It was so beautiful and peaceful. We couldn't get a picture because of the light and the glow, but it was really neat. As her family all started coming up the street, they joined us in tears. Callie and I drove around and then walked around as well. I am so proud of her for thinking of and pulling off the wonderful idea.
Terri would have loved it and probably would have done it for others.
Her family loved it too. They thanked us over and over again.
I guess in a way it was our last goodbye to her
The world won't be the same without you Terri!
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