16.10.2026 11:13
Retired officer Ünsal Tiğin, 82, who lives in the Menteşe district of Muğla, has been visiting the grave of his wife of 56 years, Ayla Tiğin, three days a week since he lost her in 2023. Adorning the grave’s surroundings with the flowers his wife loved, Tiğin reads Ayşe Kulin novels to her at the graveside, where he has also set up a sheltered area for himself.
In MUĞLA, retired officer Ünsal Tiğin (82), who lost his wife of 56 years, Ayla Tiğin, 3 years ago, visits her grave 3 days a week after her death, reads the Quran and prays, and reads her favorite author's book. Tiğin, who arranged the area next to his wife's grave and planted flowers, said, “After a person loves someone, you don't understand how the years pass. I lost her early. We had more beautiful days to live, but the illness did not leave her alone.”
Retired officer Ünsal Tiğin, living in the Menteşe district, lost his wife of 56 years, Ayla Tiğin, on July 23, 2023, due to her illness. After his wife's death, Tiğin began visiting her grave 3 days a week. Tiğin, who goes to the cemetery regardless of summer or winter, arranges the surroundings of his wife's grave and grows flowers. Tiğin, who also arranged the area right next to the grave for himself, also created a living space there where he can be protected from adverse weather conditions. Stating that he has not forgotten his wife and will continue his visits as long as he lives, Tiğin said, “I come here and read Ayşe Kulin's novels to her. I have not forgotten her, and I will not forget her. As long as I live, I will come and visit 3 days a week. I will water her flowers. I will keep her memory alive in my heart.”
I TRY TO DO THE THINGS SHE LOVED
Ünsal Tiğin, explaining that his wife loved nature and flowers very much, said that he adorned the area around the grave with flowers for this reason. Expressing that he arranged the area to protect against rain, mud and wind in winter, and extreme heat in summer, Tiğin used the following statements: “Despite adverse weather conditions, I visit her grave regardless of summer or winter. Every day I try to add something here. I supplied stones and enclosed it. I try to keep the greenery alive. She loved all kinds of flowers and nature very much. I try to do the things she loved. I planted many flowers such as lilies, ivy, vines and roses. I also grow seasonal flowers.”
WE HAD MORE BEAUTIFUL DAYS TO LIVE
Tiğin, stating that he and his wife had been married for 56 years and that the longing he felt for her never subsided, and expressing that the illness process was difficult for them, said, “After a person loves someone, you don't understand how the years pass. I lost her early. We had more beautiful days to live, but the illness did not leave her alone. She was bedridden for 7-8 months. She could not use her hands and feet. Her treatment continued in a palliative care center, but that is death, divine decree. That was her lifespan.”