In Remembrance of Michael Montalbano

For my little brother... from your big sister

I was there when you were born. I literally helped the nurse pop your shoulder out, it was quite stuck. You were shaped like a Lego, a very giant lego.

I helped carry you home in my arms your first Halloween when the excitement of it all overcame you.  

I went to your little league games and cheered you on, even though your team resembled the bad news bears.

I probably played over a hundred hours of Mario Kart with you and despite the fact I am 22 years older, you still kicked my butt most of the time.

When we went to Universal Studios you were about a half an inch too short to ride the Hulk and so, so, sad. Went to Walmart and I bought the ugliest sandles with the thickest soles I could find. I cut off the soles and glued them to the bottom of your regular sandles so you met the height requirement. It looked ridiculous!

I still laugh when I think about that moment because you walked like Frankenstein, with these giant shoes, right up to the same guy, who chuckled and just winked at us...  

We rode the Hulk probably 10 times after that.

I was proud when your earned your Eagle Scout ranking (only 4-5% of scouts earn this rank), your ROTC leadership awards and then graduated with honors at top of your class earning a Criminal Justice degree.

Your 1 of only 2 people I know to have sailed the dry Tortugas as part of a sailing crew. What an experience you must have had. 

If you got sick after mom died, I would send you your favorite soup and medicine because I knew you would just tough it out otherwise.

You would get so excited trying to talk to me about advanced calculus and quantum computing. Sadly, those conversations were one sided and way above my mental pay grade..... but I loved that you were so enthralled with it and so very jealous of how easy it was for you.

I love that when my kids needed help with math, Uncle Michael was ALWAYS there to save the day and that you could explain it to them in a way that nobody else could... it just made me so proud every! single! time!

Bella told me you are her role model...

YOU!! ARE HER ROLE MODEL!!!! 

How can anyone ever beat that title?

You are a voracious reader, like seriously... A LOT!! You always have a work ethic that puts most people to shame.

You're also.... in the most complimentary way, a very simple man. "Stuff" didn't matter to you, your self worth came from the pride you took in your work and school. I love that!!! Everyone wants to feel valued for their hard work and your many awards and accomplishments showed that.

We didn't see each other as much as we used to lately, but we talked weekly.

We didn't have a lot of similar interests as adults, but I was happy that you were thriving and finding your own path in life.

I was very proud of the man you had become knowing how much you went through after Katrina, then when mom passed and your life had been up ended. No matter what though, you still found a way to make a place in this world. 

I was always there for you and will wait patiently to see you and mom again.

I didn't tell you enough that I loved you, but you know that I always have.

I hope you are at peace now, but there will always be a void in my life because you are, and will always be, my baby brother.

And because I know how much you love Harry Potter...

⁷“The ones who love us never really leave us, you can always find them in here.. 💖"― Sirius Black