I’m not one of these people who likes to put his personal life online, like many people, but that’s okay. So it is sad for me to say that my mother passed away this weekend.

Fortunately, I was able to be with her for the last few weeks of her life because I had the freedom and flexibility of running an Internet business. I could check email, return a few phone calls and basically run things in a short period of time from the hospital. I am grateful I am in this line of work and have the flexibility to run my life as needed. My wish if that you be so lucky as well.

And fortunately, I have a great staff that kept things running without me.

But most fortunately, my clients came to my rescue. One of the truly great things about PR LEADS is that we have built a community and a family of friends. Somehow, a few people heard about my mother and came to my help.

I’d like to thank Dr. Gail Gazelle, a palliative care specialist, who volunteered to talk to my mother’s doctors, doc-to-doc, to find out what was really going on and tell me the real story. She offered invaluable advice and comfort along the way. Her day wasn’t done until she checked in with me.

And I’d like to thank Dr. Vicki Rackner who offered a shoulder to cry on and an ear to vent my emotions.

I know that I have close friendships with many other PR LEADS members and they would have done anything they could if I had only asked. But that’s not my style. Somehow word is spreading about my mother and people are offering their condolences, so I wanted to let everyone know that I’m okay (maybe a bit spacey right now).

I’m going to lay low for a week. Work is good therapy, but if you don’t hear from me, you’ll know why