Dear Friends,
We are deeply saddened that our friend, long time Michigander Melahat Akçasu has passed away last Saturday (Aug 6th) in Ann Arbor at age 93. She was born in Antalya, and graduated from Istanbul University Psychology department. She is survived by her husband of 63 years Ziya Akçasu, a daughter (Nur), two sons (Feza and Aydın), and three grandchildren (Audrey, Brian, and Nora).
Rest in peace Melahat teyze!
You can find more info about the Akçasu family at the interview (in Turkish) we had published in the 2015 issue of TACAM Newsletter.
We would also like to share a beautiful tribute written by her son Aydın;
“41 seconds at a time, now 1 day at a time
———————-
10 sec: this is ok,
I tell myself.
20 sec: is this ok?
30 sec: I love you
…. this is where the the breaths usually resume.
35 sec: panic
… I will miss you, you were a great mom.
38 sec: is this it?
seems like minutes have passed,
did I miss saying something,
say it now!
40 sec: this is it.
Did I say it all?
41 sec: another breath, the breathing resumes,
And another deeper breath.
I am relieved.
Am I relieved?
Or saddened that the pain of living continues.
And this whole cycle repeats, again and again.
Until this morning, it stopped.
I wish the cycle would repeat just one more time.
I’m not sure if I had anything new to add,
everything was said.
I just wanted one more moment.
This breath continued for 93 years.
Resulting in lots of love from her husband, three kids, three grandkids, and lots of friends.
We love you mom and you will always be remembered.
– your son,
Aydın ”
Sincerely yours,
Nilüfer Esen-Bilgin
On Behalf of TACAM BoD.