Remembering Sohei - by Martha Akagi

Dear friends and family of Sohei,

Constancy is a virtue rooted in love that comes from the heart.
Over the years, Margaret's brother and Saeko Katherine Akagi's Hohri uncle, our dear Sohei
has kept in touch with our family by mail and phone. We have saved all his letters.
The care with which he has communicated has always touched our hearts.

So giving.
He has played a special role in my life as my haiku mentor:

"Write 50 a day. AH!"
"You have it in your heart. Don't listen to them. Don't obey me."

So humble.
When I sent him our book published by the Boston Haiku Society, thanking him
for being being my mentor, he wrote back:

Marthahaiku---
                thankyou
... .
... .
... !
                thankyou
                        Sohei
September 26, 2013

With a drawing of a bird holding the message,

Not too high,
Fly.
See new.

October 3, 2013
Marthahaiku Again, thankyou


I will miss him very much. He remains in our hearts.

After the loss ...
Breeze gently lifts
The petals

Martha Rice Akagi

Sincerely,
Martha and Kate Akagi and the Rice family