INTRODUCTION
Within these pages are words written from the heart---from two hearts. There were approximately 1,600 letters that my beloved, late husband, Fred, and I wrote to each other; so, this represents the alpha and omega of our relationship at its innocent inception with my intent to play “Yente, the Matchmaker” to the meeting of true minds which unlocked and opened the heart quite by surprise. Gone With The Pen: A Journey To The Heart contains many of our letters, our original poetry and artwork.
In one lifetime, if one can connect soul to soul with another, that is a priceless gift. Treasure the time that you have with your loved ones. Remind them how much you love them and, most of all, show them. This life is so fleeting and fragile.
PREFACE
Fred used to always say, “If you want to make God laugh, tell Him what you’re gonna do tomorrow!” It is not always in our design or our plans, but things happen---and, so is the destiny of the meeting of two minds and two hearts---ever entwined. Although storm clouds have come and gone---through sickness and in health---through life and physical death, reality is that love endures and lasts for all eternity.
Within these pages are words written from the heart---from two hearts. There were approximately 1,600 letters that my beloved, late husband, Fred, and I wrote to each other; so, this represents the alpha and omega of our relationship at its innocent inception with my intent to play “Yente, the Matchmaker” to the meeting of true minds which unlocked and opened the heart quite by surprise. Gone With The Pen: A Journey To The Heart contains many of our letters, our original poetry and artwork.
In one lifetime, if one can connect soul to soul with another, that is a priceless gift. Treasure the time that you have with your loved ones. Remind them how much you love them and, most of all, show them. This life is so fleeting and fragile.
PREFACE
Fred used to always say, “If you want to make God laugh, tell Him what you’re gonna do tomorrow!” It is not always in our design or our plans, but things happen---and, so is the destiny of the meeting of two minds and two hearts---ever entwined. Although storm clouds have come and gone---through sickness and in health---through life and physical death, reality is that love endures and lasts for all eternity.
Below is the Foreword written by author and historian, Peter Bonner, to GONE WITH THE PEN: A JOURNEY TO THE HEART.
FOREWORD
I have spent many years telling the true stories of the passionate people of history who were the inspiration for Margaret Mitchell’s, Gone With The Wind. They cleared the way in a wilderness, built homes with rudimentary tools and the sweat of their brow, and when called to account for their beliefs, they stood their ground and shed their blood to mark their passing. It was their passion that drew me to the story, gave me a career as a ‘teller and writer and facilitated a chance meeting with Fred Crane, “Brent Tarleton”, in “Gone With The Wind”.
Now, years later, as I lead the preservation and restoration of the Tara façade that was built in Hollywood to bring “Gone With The Wind” to the Silver Screen, I can tell you there was no less blood, sweat and passion in the lives of those who planned and built the sets, or those who stood upon those wooden backdrops and breathed life into the author’s words. I cannot walk amongst those set pieces today without feeling the energy of Vivien Leigh, Olivia de Havilland or my dear friend, Fred Crane, who spoke the first lines in the movie.
And now, as Terry shares their personal love letters, their poems and original sketches in her new book, Gone With The Pen: A Journey To The Heart, we get to experience more of the passion that drove Fred to Hollywood, to the set of “Gone With The Wind”, to a life of entertainment and to his soul mate, Terry Lynn. Terry has continued to glow with the passion that she and Fred shared together; and, my hope is that this book warms your heart like mine has always been in the pleasure of their company.
Peter Bonner
Historian, Storyteller and Author of
Lost In Yesterday and The Official Guide to the Saving Tara Project
