235. Call Me Anytime

Sometimes getting a call from a wrong number is an inconsequential part of your day. But for our listener Georgie, a misdial ended up making her feel loved by a stranger. 

Transcripts may not appear in their final version and are subject to change.

Nora: I’m Nora McInerny, and It’s Going To Be Okay. 

Today’s okay thing comes from Georgi, who sent us this email: 

A few months after my 21 year old daughter died by suicide, I was scrolling through my phone and accidentally tapped her picture.  On my phone, on the screen with all the favorites, there are nine pictures.  My daughter’s remains in the center.  One day, I accidentally called her number, and when I realized it was ringing, I hung up and didn’t think any more about it other than what a ding dong I was.  Well, that evening, my phone rang.  On the screen was the picture of my daughter.  My heart froze.  For an instant, all reason left.  Had it all just been a bad dream?  Was she still alive?  Had she faked her death, and OH MY GOD WAS SHE STILL ALIVE????  I hesitantly answered the phone because I knew she wasn’t alive. My husband had to identify the body, we had a service, and did all the things.  But I answered anyway.  A beautiful female voice that was not my daughter’s explained she had received a phone call from this number. earlier in the day, and was just checking to see if she had missed a message.   I started to cry and explained what happened.  My daughter’s number was given to someone else, adn this person now had her number.  This woman listened, and then just told me it was ok to call her whenever I wanted.  

I’m grateful for compassionate people who are kind and caring, and willing to listen to a mother cry, and then tell her it’s ok to call anytime.  

It’s been over two years since I got that call.  I still have my daughter’s picture in the center of my favorites screen, but I haven’t called her again. (Not even accidentally.) Just knowing someone would answer with compassion lets me know it’s going to be ok.