Nora Polk Green
c/o Horizon Hospice
833 West Chicago Avenue
Chicago IL 60622
Dear Nora,
It's Barbara Garrison, Jim Turk's niece. I was always going to write and thank you and the hospice for your support in Jim's last days (as short as they were).
The family was very supportive of Jim, and of me.
We put together a memorial book paying tribute to Jim's many good deeds and kind and generous nature.
The tribute was Millie's (Jim's sister upstairs) idea and she put it all together. So instead of writing you our words of appreciation we are sending you a copy of the book. Most of it is too personal for you to understand, but beginning on page 20 is Millie and my tribute (which mentions the work of the Hospice).
We could have done none of this without your help, and the help of all the people at Horizon Hospice. You made the difference in our being able to put together such a glowing tribute to Jim, or just being filled with guilt and regrets after his death.
He had enough of hospitals, and the medical profession in general. And while it was very sad for all of us, we were able to tell HIM the things we put in this book so we have no "If only I would have, could have" feelings to tarnish our wonderful memory of him.
He died listening to our voices saying how much he was loved and would be missed and not the sound of a hospital PA system constantly reminding him of his fate. He crossed that threshold with all of us at his side. I believe that is what he wanted when he signed the papers that put him in your care.
The Buddhist encourage a "joyful participation in the sorrows of life". Horizon Hospice made this possible for our family, and for Jim.
We thank you sincerely.
Barbara Garrison and Millie Fairman
on behalf of the family of James R. Turk