Friday Letters

I haven't written any Friday Letters for almost a year, but have taken my virtual fountain pen in hand this week to say what's on my mind, take the opportunity to offer a thank you, and wonder about things. Let's open the mail ...

Dear MetLife,

Thank you for having at least one customer service representative that has actually provided some customer service. You administered one of my father's pensions, and after notifying you in February of his death, you've been busily sending me loads of letters. They've been increasing in number weekly, but also causing increasing confusion. Some letters say that his pension ended upon his death and no more payments will be received; others say that you need a new bank account number for the direct deposit of payments you haven't been able to make, and others say that I need to return the overpayments you have made. I've been calling you for several months, but the letters continue, almost like the scene in Harry Potter where all the envelopes come flooding into the Dursley's house. I called yet again earlier this week, and Anna was able to figure out that three different "life event" managers had been assigned to my father's account, all sending different letters. Anna seems to have fixed the problem, and I hope that next week marks the momentous occasion of one whole week without a letter from MetLife!

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Dear Social Security Administration,

I've been busy over the past three months filling out forms, having forms notarized, going to court, writing letters, making copies and phone calls, and filling out more forms. You guys have provided the few moments of levity I've had in the job of executor, and I do appreciate it. You originally received notification of my father's death from at least four different sources, and all of them included original death certificates, so I did have to laugh at the letter I received yesterday. It was a fun one addressed to my father stating that errors have been made in the past when dealing with the SSA, and could he please verify that he was really dead. Yes, your language was a bit more convoluted, but that was really what you wanted to know by asking me to fill out the enclosed form and return it with another original death certificate. John didn't believe me at first, but also laughed after he read it and agreed that it really was an "are you sure you're really dead?" letter. Way to go SSA; bureaucracy and humor all in one!

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Dear XBox One, 

The more comfortable I get with you, the more I love you, especially now that I know you turn your controller off automatically. I understand the futuristic glowing XBox button, along with the primary colored A, B, X, and Y buttons. There are still the left and right sticks, bumpers, and triggers for me to figure out, but who knows, I may even be playing a video game next week! 

Maybe this one ...

I hope your weekend includes more fun and games than bureaucracy!