Mårten, kompis, you will be sorely missed.

My intention had been to do this in Swedish, but my abilities fail me on this occasion. Mårten, it is now over 15 years since our families met in Tanzania - and indeed 15 years since we last spoke - but the memories are nevertheless as stark and vivid as ever. I recall, with great warmth, the time we spent playing, as boys do, in the garden of that gigantic house in which you Perssons lived. I remember, as if it were yesterday, the times spent swimming in the Indian ocean, visiting the islands just off the coast of Dar es Salaam, mingling with the other kids at the Swedish school and hiking in the Swedish fjall. I remember, in particular, how during our trip to the north of Sweden, we used to wake at the break of dawn - before everyone else - and begin our 20km trek to the next hut. Once there, we awaited the arrival of our families, content in the knowledge that we'd secured the spaciest rooms, picked the best beds, and lazed the day away in the summer sunshine.

Only as recently as December 2009 my father came to speak of you and it occurred to me that I ought to get in touch. It is now too late. But I am comforted to see, on account of all the comments I've read on this blog today, that you lived your life to the fullest. I can only hope to one day equal the spirit and vitality with which you lived your life.

Mårten, kompis, you will be sorely missed.

Christian O'Donnell