Something tells me that if anyone can handle this situation with poise and grace, it is you. The widow is fortunate to have you as a business partner.

Thanks for the vote of confidence, Gwynne. I hope I can live up to it.

Eric:

Sorry to hear that. I just got a phone call myself yesterday that a friend died. 48 years old. Found out he had cancer, and 9 days later he died. Such events certainly give the rest of us good reason to pause, and reassess how we are using our time.

Justin, you don't get to be as old as me without attending a lot of funerals, but this is the first time I've dealt with it in this context. I'm actually better prepared to deal with the emotional and spiritual issues than I am the business issues. Have to admit that I'm glad about that, too.

I've prayed for you :).

Thanks, Rachel. Keep in mind that the client's family needs it even more. I hope to have details tomorrow.

Well I'm sure you can handle the business issue. I don't have an overflow of work at the moment, but I'll definitely keep you in mind. Perhaps we can meet for coffee or something when I get back in town in 2 weeks.

I'll simply second what Gwynne said.

Justin, thanks, but the business issue is more theoretical than real.

Thanks, Jim. I know you've been through much more of this sort of thing than I have.

Day late, dollar short here, but wanted to third what Gwynne said, since she put it so well.

Eric, you could always look for a way to get away - if just for a little while - and relax ..... maybe take YLB to Starbucks for coffee, meet a friend, enjoy a cool summer drink and a chat .... then witness a fender-bender in the parking lot ...... hmmmmmm ..... maybe not .....

Seriously, though, I think you have your eyes fixed firmly on the real 'prize' ..... your family, your clients and your friends appreciate and admire you for that.

That's a tough one, Eric. I'm sure you're not the first web designer who's had to deal with the death of a client, but I'm guessing that it's a situation that's still somewhat uncommon, due to the relative newness of the web.

When I think about all the different forums, web pages, blogs, e-mail lists, etc. with which I have connections, I wonder if I shouldn't include a file with all my logins and passwords in my will.

Otherwise, I might suddenly disappear one day, and MGW would have no way to post on my blog to let you all know I had dropped into The Great Bit Bucket. She wouldn't have the information she needed log on to, say, GoDaddy and cancel my web hosting account.

I wonder if I shouldn't include a file with all my logins and passwords in my will.

Foo, that's a practical suggestion with much merit, although I'm not sure that the will is the best place for it, given that it might be a while before that document is inspected. Seeing what my client's spouse is dealing with in trying access his email, PayPal account, etc. underscores the importance of leaving a trail, especially if there are immediate financial implications.