After 25 years working in web design and development, I’m retiring at the end of 2022.
It’s been an amazing journey and learning experience as I transitioned from software quality assurance and internationalization to designing websites.
From writing my first website for my church in Notepad, I’ve had the opportunity to work with nonprofits, higher education, consultants, and small businesses on their websites and email marketing.
And discovered new interests and friends through online forums, conferences, meetup groups, and professional organizations.
Saying goodbye is hard.
It’s been two years since I started making plans to retire.
I have to admit, at times, I was in denial. But the looming date on the calendar brought home reality.
Thank you to everyone I’ve worked with and for over the years.
I appreciate the opportunity as well as the encouragement, lessons, guidance, and support from my colleagues, friends, and clients.
Most of all, I’m thankful for the friendships and relationships.
For the future, I plan on continuing to publish blog posts.
My writings will be less frequent. And will focus on birding, photography, and likely technology.
My last weekly web design and development roundup is December 16, 2022.
For my readers, I thank you for your support over the years.
If you’re looking for web design and development news, I recommend subscribing to Laura Carlson’s Web Design Update weekly newsletter.
After you and I talking about this for a bit I’m so happy for you. I know how hard it’s been to step away. Congrats, my friend! I’m really looking forward to more of those bird pictures.
Hope you love being retired. It certainly agrees with me. Think of all the birds you’ll see!
Hi Virginia,
Thank you! I’m looking forward to it and seeing more birds!
Hey, Chris!
Yes, it was not an easy decision. And I thank you for all our discussions about it. What I’ll miss is the people I’ve met along the way.
Congrats Deborah on this decision. I wish you the best in your next adventures. I love your writing and you always inspire me to write more.
Hi Femy,
Thank you for your kind words. I’m excited about retirement. Wishing you the best in your writing, Femy.
Best wishes on your retirement. So glad you will continue your blog. I esp. enjoy your birding posts and look forward to reading more of them.
Congratulations and happy trails! Thank you for all your helpful posts and friendship.
Thank you, Eloise!
You’re truly one of the good ones… I’ve always appreciated the work you do — your drive toward digital inclusion, really great writing/tutorials/resources, and your amplification of others.
I’ve also enjoyed your birding photos (including alt text), and much as I may NOT want to admit it, #RedcrewLaughs usually got a groan, which I assume was your intent 🙂
Many congratulations to you, Deborah, on a successful career!!
Thank you for everything you’ve done over the years and, for me personally, for highlighting/amplifying the issues surrounding accessibility. Sending you my warmest wishes for this new beginning.
Thank you, Jen!
Hi Derek,
Thank you for the kind words. I was fortunate to learn from you and other accessibility professionals throughout my career. Glad #RedcrewLaughs brought some groans, and hopefully, so chuckles into your life.
Thanks, Amy! I was so glad we got to know each other on Twitter. Loved chatting with you about accessibility, birds, and books. Hope we continue to stay on touch.
This sounds like good news! It’s hard to but once you closed shop, you might feel a burden lifted from your shoulders. Being responsible for other people’s online presence takes a lot of emotional labor.. Congratulations on such a long time being in the business of web development! After 20 years in business, I will also close my business at the end of the year, too, but I am far away from retiring. I feel I am only getting started. Thank you for being a wonderful friend all those years back to the Coldfusion days. It’s always been a delight to connect with you!
Congratulations on the retirement, Deborah! I’ve always looked forward to your weekly roundups. I learned so much over the years because of them.
Thank you for all that you’ve done for the web community. Happy birding!
Thank you, David! Glad you found the resources in my roundups useful. My goal with my roundups (and Twitter) was to give back to the web community with info that makes it easier for them to do and enjoy their work.
Hi Birgit,
Thank you! And congrats on your closing your business at the end of this year. So glad we met in person when you were at WordCamp Detroit!
I have learned so much following your journey. You will definitely be missed in my feeds. If you ever come down to the biggest week in American birding please let me know, I’d love to shoot along side you! Gotta love those Warbler’s 🙂
Hi TJ,
Thank you for your comment. I will miss chatting about web design and development. I do go to Biggest Week, at least I did regularly before pandemic. Howard Marsh, Metzger March, and Ottawa Wildlife Refuge Boss Unit are three of my favorite sites!
Congrats, Deborah!
I wish you a happy and fulfilling retirement, and thank you so much for all that you did for the web community! 🤗
Hi Zoran,
Thank you!