The Wife and I were watching an episode of How I Met Your Mother last night.  One part of the episode dealt with newlyweds Marshall and Lilly putting together their death letters for each other.  You know, the letter you leave your loved ones only to be read in the event of your death?

The Wife asked, “Why don’t we have death letters?”

“I’m putting together a death video,” I answered without hesitation.

“Oh?”  She adopted that dubious tone she often employs as if bracing herself for some absurd thing I will say.

“Yeah,” I answered.  “I’m gonna be wearing a Starfleet uniform and leave you a message just like Kirk did for Spock and McCoy in The Tholian Web.  Except, my message will be to you and the cat.

“Imagine it, I’ll spin around in my command chair and speak to you directly to you via the camera. 

“Cecil.  Suzanne. Since you are playing this tape, we will assume that I am dead and the tactical situation is critical and both of you are locked in mortal combat. It means, Suzanne, that you have control of the ship and are probably making the most difficult decisions of your career. I can offer only one small piece of advice for whatever it’s worth: use every scrap of logic and knowledge you have to save the ship, but temper your judgment with intuitive insight. I believe you have those qualities, but if you can’t find them in yourself, seek out Cecil.  Ask his advice, and, if you find it sound, take it. Cecil, you’ve heard what I just told Suzanne. Help her if you can, but remember she is the captain, her decisions must be followed, without question. You might find that she is capable of human insight and human error. They are most difficult to defend, but you will find that she is deserving of the same loyalty and confidence each of you have given me. Take care.”

Suzanne scowled at me, “I will re-marry quickly after you die.”