Words of Tribute from Kevs - 22nd April, 2024
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My heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you for coming and to all our grieving loved ones who are watching with enormous heartache via webcast from afar.
In Jamie Anderson's words "grief is really just love".
It's all the love you want to give but cannot. All of that unspent love gathers up in the corners of your eyes, the lump in your throat and in that hollow part of your chest. Grief is just love with no place to go.
We all loved Şahap - because he was incredibly lovable.
He was extraordinarily talented, extremely well read and knowledgeable, well travelled, full of wisdom, elegant, creative - yet, so humble, kind, stoic, helpful, loving, gracious, always considerate and thoughtful.
CANIM ŞAPCIM, GÜZEL KOCAM,
When we met during a Summer Holiday nearly 4 decades ago, we knew instantly that we were soulmates and we were meant to be together. You held my hand tightly in yours and you never let go until 7th April.
You were my heart, my home, my anchor, my voice of wisdom, my sun, my moon, my laughter, my joy, my safe harbour. You were my evergreen. You were my best friend who always made me feel that I was being deeply understood; thoroughly and truly supported and completely, unconditionally loved.
Time cannot and will not dim the face or fade the voice that I loved.
Nothing will ever be the same again, but we all know that his loving spirit and his amazing ability to give will always live with us; we will continue to be enlightened, strengthened by his wisdom and wrapped up in his warm love.
His presence in our lives was a precious gift and a cherished blessing.
In Donna Ashworth's words, "grief has come because love came first".
Remember... Love came first.
And we all know that the world was a better place for the years that our beloved Sharp lived.
Güzel Kocam, Canım Şapcım...
You will be missed daily, dearly, deeply...
My heart has always been at home when my hand was in your hand.
I hold out my hand one last time today. Please hold out your hand and take mine in yours again.
So whatever life may bring, through all the storms and cold winds, I will try and manage calmly; remembering and knowing that I am always anchored to you.
I will always love you.
May you rest in abundance of love and peace.
Your Kevs, your ever-loving "muhtar"
19th April 2024