Quote Originally Posted by Dixiecat View Post
First of all, I want to thank Xmarksthescot. If it wasn't for this web forum, I wouldn't have met as many wonderful people of the course of my involvement here. One of these people was Turpin, who I met at an Xmarks meetup at the Stone Mountain Highland Games in 2011. I knew of Turp from his posts here and thought he was an ok bloke. But, I wasn't prepared to be charmed off my feet by the most handsome kilted man at the whole Games. He always told the story how he couldn't believe his luck in getting me to visit the House of Gordon tent, so he proceeded to teach me about scotch and get me bleery-eyed enough to convince me that I should go out with him. It worked. For my part, I told him that he looked good before, he looked better when I was three scotches in, and he still looked good when I sobered up.

We were together until the end. Maintaining the relationship between Nova Scotia and Georgia wasn't easy, but we managed. It got tougher when he was diagnosed back in the fall, but it became a lifeline for both of us. He passed away peacefully holding both his daughter and my hands, with his sister and a dear old friend by his side.

Thanks to Jim (TheScot) who came out to visit with Turp. He seemed calmer after their chat. Jim, your post of Turpin's picture in this thread touched his entire family. We downloaded the picture and it was the center piece of a photo memory table of Turpin and his family. It caught his spirit indeed.

Thanks to all for the posts in my previous thread. It turned out that Turp never got to read them, but I know he would have been touched if he had. He sincerely appreciated everything that people did for him during this short journey.

I can't believe he's gone and I'm wandering his house looking for him. I'll be going home tomorrow and will carry his spirit in my heart.

Thank you.
Beverly, I'm sorry I didn't meet you when you visited Chicago. I know from Turpin how important you have been in his life the last couple of years. He had an extra bounce in his step and twinkle in his eyes when he spoke of you. I am so grateful for all you have done for him and our family. I'm sure it was difficult but it is wonderful that you were able to be with him at the end. Best regards, Mark