In the overall scheme of things...

How many times do we allow ourselves to get upset and frustrated over things that can be resolved?

Because it is so cold up here and with a foot and a half of snow on the ground, I do not make it to the post office every day.  I finally went Monday and brought home what looked like an exciting assortment of Christmas cards plus a few other pieces of mail.  Once home, I sorted it all and opened the cards first.  Love Christmas cards.  They're another way to keep in touch with those you love.  I always touch the signature believing I am touching that friend's hand.  Then I go through the other mail. I saw a piece from Lincoln Financial Group and opened it.  I have TWO life insurance policies with them and figured it was a notice to tell me my premiums were going up again.  (I have this set up as a monthly automatic withdrawal from my checking account.)  This, of course, is insurance crap and HC Baker always took care of this.  In a nutshell, here's what the letter said.

First of all, the salutation read "Dear Policyholder".  (I've been paying you money for years and you can't even use my name?)  The letter told me they had not received payments for this particular policy since January 26, 2012.  That's almost TWO years ago!  I should tell you now that I don't balance my checkbook each month.  I go on-line every 3 or 4 days to check my balance, scroll through to see what's been paid, see what's yet to be paid and make sure there's enough money to cover it all.  I see Lincoln Financial every month so I don't give it another thought.  Well...remember when I told you in the last paragraph I have TWO life policies with them.  It seems only one was "drafting" from my account.  The letter went on to tell me during this nearly TWO year "lapse", the policy has been in force with no break in coverage (I wonder what the story would have been had I died during this time!!!)  Continuing with the letter...They want me to send "back" payment by January 2, 2014, or the policy will lapse for non-payment of premiums.  If I have any questions, I'm to call the person who sent me the letter at the number which is listed below.

OK - I NEED OXYGEN NOW!!!!!!!!!!  I'm not even close to being any kind of genius, but do you mean to tell me a company as large as this one is just now, after TWO years, discovering I have not paid a premium?  Who are these people?  I check the envelop and the letterhead to make sure it's not from some prince in Africa and then dial the number.

I'll give you the abbreviated version of this because you won't believe most of it anyway.  The following is all true I swear!

Letter sender call - She's not "in" today but if I need immediate assistance call back and ask for could not understand the name and press could not understand the extension number.

Called back and listened to press one for this and press two for that and I pressed 3 for idiots!

Connected to Sharon - explained my situation and she connected (wanted to get rid of me fast!!!) me to Robert.  Get ready because here's where the fun begins.  Robert sounded 12 but assured me he could help.  Robert also called me Jo Ann.  DEEP BREATHS!!!!  He could not help me and I asked to speak with his supervisor.  Robert told me his supervisor was not in.  I asked for his supervisor's supervisor.  He's not in either.  I asked if they had their office Christmas party over the weekend and everyone had stayed home to get sober.  Robert told me there was no reason for me to be rude.  DEEPER BREATHS HERE!!!!  I asked Robert who the president of the company was and he told me Dennis Glass was the President, but he wouldn't be interested in talking to me.  DEEPEST BREATHS HERE!!!!  I asked for Mr. Glass's number.  Robert didn't know it.  As I'm talking to Robert, I "google" Dennis Glass and discover his office is in Radnor, PA, his address and phone number.  I give the phone number to Robert and hang up.

I call back using the corporate number to reach the main "switchboard" (if that word is even used anymore) and a lovely woman answers.  I quickly explain my situation and frustration with all those who words have proceeded this call and ask to speak to the highest ranking person at this address.  She told me that would be Mr. Perez who is the Director of this office that houses over 3000 employees.  I asked her if she would connect me to him and she said "certainly"!  (Good Girl!)  Lo and behold, Mr. John Perez answered his own phone.  I was shocked and told him so!  I also told him I could tell we were on speaker phone and if he had any others in his office, he might want to turn that off.  I began my re-cap of conversations.  He was incredibly polite, listened without interruption, and apologized for all of the unacceptable responses I had so far received.  I gave him names and key words like policyholder and being called Jo Ann and everybody off today and un-understandable messages and the list goes on.  He promised me he would get back to me within 24 hours and gave me his direct phone number.  So ends Monday!

Tuesday, 2:35pm!  I answer my phone and meet April.  She says she wants to help me.  So as not to waste her time or mine, I ask her if she has talked to Mr. Perez and she says YES.  Ok, let the conversation begin.  I repeat Monday's conversations and ask her if she is amazed by all this and she replies YES.  I also told her my insurance husband is dead and I am continuing to learn how to do all this stuff, and I tell her I do not do a very good job with my checkbook.  She tells me she is so glad I called because she has been made aware they have a few training issues.  She apologizes repeatedly and assures me she will personally deal with all of this.  She also tells me the company will make whatever arrangements are necessary for me to make the "lapsed" payments.  She's actually listening and understanding my issues.  We really had a lovely conversation and actually laughed together a few times.

I don't know if y'all do the same thing but whenever I have this kind of experience, I have to tell someone about it just to say it again.  Stupid I know but necessary.  So my next call is to a very dear friend, and I ask him to just listen to my story.  I tell him not to offer any help or explanations, just listen to me.  I repeat all of this and then get all "weepy" and tell him I have to end this conversation and I hang up.   What's wrong with me???????  So I spend the next two hours attending my very own "pitty" party by myself (of course) and then fix myself a bowl of grits!  Later, my dear friend is brave enough to call me back.  

So this morning I call the money man and tell him to unload something so I can write a check to this company.  I won't be buyin' that airplane I wanted!  (That was a joke!)  And now I've written it all down for you to read.  I won't blame you or think less of you if you don't read it.  It's a pretty long story and all about me...again!  I will believe that you love me so in the overall scheme of things what else matters?  I have wonderful FRIENDS!

P.S.  I now cannot afford stamps for my Christmas cards so here's your greeting.

I LOVE YOU ALL!  MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EACH OF YOU AND BEST WISHES FOR A HAPPY, HEALTHY 2014!  XXOO