Otto

Otto Charles Malmberg

our nephew and cousin

August 22-30, 2008

Sweet baby boy.  I wish so much I could visit him and hold him again.

Dark blue eyes, soft fuzzy hair, long feet and toes, chubby thighs squeezed between my fingers, little fists darting towards my face, thumb in mouth, my brother holding him, stroking him, loving him, his mommy looking at him with intense, open, all-encompassing love, his mommy's elf ear, his daddy's chest, his button nose, his sweet, gentle presence.

Loving him from the moment Jessie plopped that stick down in front of me.  Waiting for him, hearing his name for the first time, the burst of joy upon meeting him, holding him, kissing him, loving him.

I can't bear that there will be no more moments with him. But if it is so, the ones I had will somehow be enough. I love him, my nephew.  I have so much sadness but also gratefulness. His life, his person, and my memories of him will forever decorate my life.