The Cycle of Mail

I sigh before reaching for the mailbox door. What will be there today? Will I receive my assignment from my writing instructor? Will there be a surprise? No. It contains an envelope from an organization called Orchard Bank. I frown at this offending piece of advertisement. How many of these will they send before they figure out that, no, I don't want their card? I used to send their forms along with all of their ads for free, or low-cost items for sale, and the original envelope - plastic window glistening - in their reply envelope along with this message: I don't want your card. Please throw away your own trash. Apparently the computer who opens the mail can't read or there isn't a choice on the computer screen for "Not interested." I shake my head at this irritating monthly cycle as I go through my tossing routine: open envelope, take out application with my name, place application on burn/shred pile, place remaining materials in recycle bin. Return to pile of mail. I pause, how much time do I waste yearly on repetitive advertisements? I probably shouldn't care; however, my partner's father passed away last June - seven months ago. She has contacted, re-contacted, and contacted again the phone company, the cable company, the company in charge of his pension, etcetera. She has informed them several times, including via mail with documentation, of his death. She has informed them repeatedly of the new address that future correspondence needs to go to. What did she receive Friday, a registered letter addressed to her father. It was originally sent to his address. How should a dead man reply? "Sorry, in my state I'm unable to call or write. Please contact via psychic powers." Not to mention, the callousness of these companies who can't get their acts together.

Sifting through the monthly ads and tossing them in my own little way has become a sign of what this nation has become - impassive, impersonal, out-sourced, computer-reliant, and proud of doing a piss-poor job. Perhaps my partner should have contacted India directly when handling these matters.