Ah, Margaret (Our Margaret.)

Bridge Over Troubled Water

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_a46WJ1viA

Dear Margaret:  One thing I know, and this I know, you see:  If you, yourself, we shouldn’t blame, then AT&T must bear the shame—anyone else, but me. 

On reading your name in the Obits last week, I was both saddened and stunned.  How long had it been since I drove to your house and sat down with you to discuss your relationship with my wife and me?  Not all that long, I think, and one thing that I must say is there is nothing but sadness in my heart for your passing, regardless. 

The last thing I remember saying was that that old “If there’s ever anything I can do for you, just call” line which, of course, I meant, sincerely, quite sincerely.  When you told my wife you were ending your relations with her, neither she nor I knew why.  When you and I talked, I understood your frustration in thinking she did not want to work with you from time to time on various things of concern.  As I said then, perhaps it was how her phone might have cut you off (and without your knowledge, at that,) while you were leaving her a message you felt she needed to hear.  One strike, AT&T, one strike indeed.

Possibly, though, another problem was when I went to their (AT&T’s) local office to get some help with their equipment and was told there was no way they could transfer my phone list from my old tried but true piece of their technology to the new phone I was buying to replace it (it would no longer charge it’s battery.)  They could not access my phone list?  On their SIM card?  Sounds like a lack of training of their personnel to me (what else could it be?)  Not Me—Not ME!!!  Strike two, AT&T, strike two, indeed. 

And now, here I read your name in that little front page highlighted section of my AikenStandard, in its front page Obits.  WHY, I cry?  And at your service, two days from that, again, WHY, I cry? 

You were a sweet lady, my dear.  There is no way else I can say this.  You should be with us yet, and you aren’t.  Was it something I could have done, dear heart? 

And now, I am sure, you might have called, and I would not have recognized you as the caller.  (I would have called you back in an instant.)  Why?  Oh, God, Why?  STRIKE THREE, AT&T, STRIKE Three.  Damn. 

AT&T does a lot of good, and for a lot of people. In this case, though, they did not.  In this case, they failed, and failed miserably.  Sorry for that Dear Margaret.  Sorry for that.

At least your suffering is over.  Maybe that is AT&T’s one saving grace.  Maybe.  Damn.