I didn’t know Becca. I didn’t even know Eric, not really. He was a huge part of my learning CSS and switching to CSS layout around 2003 or 2004, and I worked with him as a moderator of his css-discuss mailing list for a while, but I never had the honor of meeting him. Last year, I was excited to learn that he would be speaking at the same conference as me, but when I got there, I found out he had had to cancel due to his daughter being seriously ill. Later, I found out it was cancer, and like so many others in the web design community I have followed his story of his daughter Becca’s last months of life, hoping the story would have a happy ending. But a few days ago, Eric lost his Little Spark.
Despite not knowing Becca or her family, I am deeply saddened by her passing. I cannot imagine what Eric and Kat are feeling right now. My heart aches for them. I have a daughter close to Becca’s age. The idea of losing my daughter or son is terrifying and incomprehensible.
Sometimes I get discouraged that I can’t be more involved in the web design community than I already am, due to being a mother and wanting to devote as much time as I can to my family. I never resent my children and husband, but rather just wish I had more time in the day to add on to everyone’s normal 24 hours and accomplish more of the professional goals I dream about. Eric’s story of losing Becca is a stark reminder of how precious family is, how important it is to focus on them, live in the moment with them.
I’m at work right now, in the office. I can’t wait to be home and hug my children.
