Glenda Long died this week. She was my friend.

Oh, it wasn’t a friendship like BFFs that talk on the phone every day and have a standing date for lunch each week.  In some ways it was deeper than that.

She was one of the first persons I met when I moved to Beebe in 2000. She was secretary of First United Methodist Church. I was doing some volunteer work there, so we saw each other often. We just loved to talk. Glenda ‘got’ my sense of humor.  That was good for me because she had the most wonderful laugh. During our acquaintance, she lost two siblings and we talked about feelings that are sometimes hard to share and often others don’t want to hear.

During our mini-therapy sessions we could laugh, cry,vent, and ‘evaluate situations’ knowing that when we parted, what was said was locked away in the vault.

A few years ago, Glenda retired and I saw her less often, usually at church or United Methodist Women, an organization she loved and gave much of her energy to.  But when our eyes made contact, Glenda would give a big smile like she was so glad to see me. We’d hug and I imagine my face was a reflection of hers, because I was always happy to see Glenda.  And when we parted, we’d say “I love you,” and never thought that was unusual for what might look like a casual friendship.

I know a lot of women could testify to a similar relationship with Glenda, because she truly cared for people. Many, many people called her friend.

She was ten years younger than I and looked ten years younger than that. Besides having a natural physical beauty, she always looked good.  Not in the Hollywood way that says you just stepped out of  Hair and Makeup, but in a manner that said, “I care about myself and about you. I want you to see me at my best.”

Glenda Long was my friend. She was my Sister in Christ. I’ll see her again someday. And I fully expect to be greeted with a smile and a hug.

It’s been a while since I ranted about customer service.  Because, what’s new about bad experiences there? Who hasn’t been driven nuts by the run-around?  I would love to sit in on the employee orientation/training. If for no other reason than to confirm all my suspicions.

Perhaps you’ve seen the commercial where someone exudes “This is my last payment before switching to _____.”  Well, I didn’t switch to ______, but I do have a new provider for my Internet, cell, and land line. Yay! I no longer have to deal with the telecommunications giant who used to be the only phone company in town.

For a month, I had static on my land line.  A call to customer service took me to the electronic menu: Press one for residential; press four for static; hold while we check the line … then a recording came on to say that the problem was not in their equipment, it must be mine.  Yes, someone had pre-recorded the message that it wasn’t their fault.  Dutifully I checked my equipment. I bought a new battery for my phone. Still static. I obtained a new phone (Thanks,Number One Son) and replaced all the wall connections (Thanks, Number Two Son).  The static was even worse.  Callers could not understand me or my answering machine message. Nor could I understand them. Miraculously (and coincidentally) when the new provider’s tech plugged my phone into their equipment, the static immediately went away. (I’m aware I put three ‘ly’ words in that sentence and split an infinitive. That’s how distraught I was.)

To add salt to the proverbial wound, my final bill included a hefty buy out fee. What? I was positive I had no contract with this company. It’s a story way too long to tell here, but it’s one more reminder that when there is a difference of opinion between a customer and big business, big business wins.

I have to say here that I have always been treated very politely by the Customer Service Representatives, when I actually spoke to one. It’s just that the CSRs have no power to do anything to solve the problem.

After several conversations with a young man (who put me on hold to talk to the supervisor who would not talk to me) I finally lost the battle. But I won the war.

So, today I wrote the final check. And a lifelong relationship comes to an end. I have bid farewell to their line static, their automated menus and their hidden fees. Thank you, former provider, for encouraging me to “rethink possible.” I did, and I found someone new.

Feels good.