I promise this isn’t going to become a tribute blog to my mom, but she happens to be quite present in our minds these days. For those of you who never knew Seiko, she was truly one of the most remarkable people I have ever known. She was as much at home in an art gallery as she was in full raingear, playing with Iggy while waiting for the salmon to arrive.
Everything she did was done to its fullest – with spirit, joy and grace. Everyone who knew her loved her – she touched so many people’s lives. We have truly learned how much she meant to people in the overflowing of sympathy and love we have received this past week.
And on top of it all, she was an incredible mom, who showed her love in the smallest of details and biggest of smiles. I feel so proud (and so lucky) to be her daughter.
Saying so on a blog seems so weird and public, but I know how proud my mom was of this endeavor of ours, and how pleased she was at the support all of you out there have shown us. I just want you all to know how much we appreciate all the kind words and thoughts you have sent our way, and how much it would have meant to mom to know how much you care.
Here she is with my sister in 1972, after living her dream of coming to America and starting a family, but long before becoming a potter, flower arranger, artist, fisherman, and grandmother.
I only hope that I can continue to make her proud, and to live up to the amazing woman she became.
Wow, you look just like her in that photo, Robbi. Amazing how things come in full circle. Happy Thanksgiving and best wishes to all you guys.
Love,
Sam
Thank you for sharing this Robbi. I loved what you said about how its a little weird to post on a blog about such intimate feelings yet your mom understood (and was proud of ) the impact you were having on those of us in your orbit and thus it felt okay to include ‘us’ in this amazing tribute to her. Thank you again. And its so lovely how much you look like your mom in that last photo.
Robbi,
That was beautiful; I had no idea. Your mom’s pottery sits proudly on my dining room table and has since the moment she gave it to me so many years back. I always think of all of you when I look at it.
-J
Hi Robbi,
Looking at that picture of your mom is like looking at you, and I know you carry her radiance, beauty, and zest for life with you and have shared that equally with your own daughter, as well. I hope this holiday season can be a peaceful one, and I admire the way in which you’re celebrating your mother’s remarkable life and her loss.
Best wishes to you all,
Lauren and Marc
looking at the photos of seiko, doesn’t make me sad. it just makes me happy to see her and feel her beautiful energy. again, more love to you robbi. i have been thinking of you every day since i heard the news. i’m sure part of your mom’s spirit is in you now, and your work will only become larger…and i can’t wait to see it! please let me know if i can help in any way…or maybe when you feel ready, have a little visit….maybe a cup of tea? heart, emily
Hi Robbi. What a beautiful tribute to your mom! We’ve been thinking about you guys this week. Amy (& Grant)
P.S. Simple math… Is math ever simple? I was a journalism major for a reason…
I feel a little odd commenting, as I don’t know you personally, but I do appreciate your work. I am sorry for your loss – I believe your mother will always be proud of who you are. My thoughts are with you all.
Robbi,
Her work is beautiful, as is she.
As I get older, I so appreciate women like your mom. And as the holidays approach (which includes time with, and thoughts of, family), I consider it a special gift that you and Matthew would share all of this. Blessings to you all.
Thank you so much for sharing this–I can’t imagine how you and Matthew are feeling. I just hope that this outpouring of love and sympathy from so many can begin to make things a tiny bit better.
Robbi (and all the Behr clan),
I am so grateful for this opportunity to tell you how much your mother meant to me since coming to Chestertown. She was grace itself – welcoming, generous, funny, self-effacing, full of life and creative energy. Her death leaves a huge hole in our lives here, and I hope there will be an appropriate time and place to honor her in the days to come.
Connie