I have actually had that happen many times before from back when I was at work and when I was home. Many where elderly people who had the wrong number and even with the wrong number, there was something in my accent (Georgia accent) and the manner in which I speak that made them think I was a family member or other loved one but when I told them they had the wrong number and wrong person, they would apologize and I always assured them they had no reason to apologize. I've even helped many find the right number they were trying to dial but were off by a digit or simply dialed the number wrong.
In all honesty, some of the most wonderful conversations I've had were with people, young and old, who simply dialed the wrong number and got me. And yes, we have sat on the phone talking for as high as 30mins to an hour. Although, the most satisfying conversations took place with elderly people who had so few family members alive to talk to at any time; I guess I served as some sort of surrogate for them and that is okay b/c by the time we hung up from that wrong number dial, I could hear the joy in their voices. Nobody wants to be alone all the time; hwr, many elderly people and shut ins are alone a lot with nobody to care about them enough to pick up a phone or stop by for a visit and that is so sad & wrong.
After my grandfather died (complications of his heart, kidneys, type II diabetes, & severe Parkinson's Disease - not to mention he was in his late 80s to early 90s & raised 7 children who never came to see him after they stuck him in a nursing home so they didn't have to deal with him despite the fact he was functional and walking 5-miles each day when it wasn't raining, attended church & gospel singing functions and had several women who gladly picked him up b/c he was unable to drive anymore, which I am thankful for b/c I'm NOT A CHRISTIAN & I know I'd never been able to handle sitting through those services or programs b/c we had very separate spiritual beliefs & he never dismissed them nor dishonored my beliefs... after about 2yrs in the nursing home & couldn't get permission to go out walking, not even with an orderly or volunteer, he ended up in a wheelchair from the lack of being allowed his former activities - he ultimately died from old age & people forgetting that he was a real person - not cattle to be prodded from room to room like a child when he was a very wise man with lots to teach others if only they'd listen... He was one of the most difficult men I lost in my life & it hurts even more when I think of the reasons that set him on the course of dying much younger than he would have if left to live in his own home & resume his own activities. It wasn't as if he didn't have healthcare that would cover a nurse coming out a couple hours a day to check his vitals and go through his medications to ensure he had all of them & were taking them. Hell, I'd have done it for free!
Even after his death, I continued my visits to the nursing home 2-3 times a week and visits with my children over the weekends to continue coming by to see his friends who were as elderly and even more forgotten than my grandfather was b/c he always had me, my children, & a younger sibling I practically raised his entire life. It makes a difference - It really does.
Today, my oldest daughter works in the medical field, runs a side business, married, & working on her graduate degree, which will be her 4th degree all totaled so far but she still dressing in these beautiful gowns & visits the respite center she worked at for quite a long time while in college before having to move closer to another college b/c the one she attended didn't offer what she needed but she still comes back to sing for them a few times a month as a volunteer just as she sang for them a few times a month when she was there taking care of them. She sings at another respite center she worked at near her previous college as well. Her one sadness she carries with her is when she gets the calls when one of patients has passed away, esp her favorites who took to her as a surrogate grandparent or great-grandparent. She says it's one of the most difficult things about going back to sing for them b/c it's as if there's this emptiness in the room from the loss of those who are gone. The families of some of the ones who passed on have even had her sing at the memorial services. It helps the family and it helps her grieve so she can move forward by carrying the wonderful memories shared, lessons learned, & just overall being a part of that person's life along w/learning how much she truly touched that person's life & didn't know it.
So yes, there is validity to missed dialed calls. Overall, I believe people are inherently good but I can't say that without adding that there are always those bad apples that are always attempting to spew their personal spray of venom b/c they lack or refuse to let others into their lives that will always spoil a few in the bunch.
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