More From Nancy R. Meyer

Berrin and I met when Berrin and her husband, Hasan Yazici, moved in across the hall from us in our apartment complex back in 1970. She had Yusuf, born in March of 1970, and I was pregnant with Amy, born in September of that year. Hasan was in residency for Rheumatology at Creighton University here in Omaha, Nebraska. We became such good friends right away because of our babies. Berrin and Hasan became part of our circle of friends and have remained our friends for 51 years.

We visited Turkey in 1994 for our 25th anniversaries. We enjoyed seeing all the best in Turkey for the 2 weeks we were there. Berrin and Hasan drove us to Ephesus, and we got to see what is believed to be the home of Mary, mother of Jesus. They visited us several times in Nebraska and our last time together was when Hasan spoke at a medical convention in Chicago. Berrin was finishing up chemo when she was there, but she was positive she could beat her cancer. She fought hard, but in November of 2020 she died of COVID-19. We always prayed for each other and our families. I miss her terribly. May God bring peace to her family and all of us who mourn her.

Put your hope in the Lord both now and forevermore. — Psalm 131:3 (NIV)