Noah and the flood, 40 days.
Moses goes up the mountain into a cloud, 40 days.
Jesus in the desert, 40 days.
Modern Lent, 40 days.
Some mention of this 40 days in Lord of the Rings to, which I am told some consider Holy Writ.
And 40 days is the amount of time a spouse can allow to lapse and thereafter leave open the possibility someone else will apply to be personal representative, or executor of the estate of a lost husband or wife.
It is written.