This is probably going to be the most morbid thing I’ve written in a while, but people expect the unexpected from my writing.
When was the last time you scrolled through the contacts on your cell phone in search of a name, then all of a sudden stumbled across a person’s name who died years ago? To be honest, every time I look for someone in my contact list it happens.
But why are those names and phone numbers still in our phones? Why is it, if you’re anything like me, we find it hard to delete them?
Honestly, what do you need a phone number for if the person is dead? Have you given any thought to what might happen should someone get that number and accidently call you while your either driving or alone in a dark room at night? All of a sudden the face of a dead friend pops up on your screen as that special ring tone blares out, “Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah staying alive, staying alive!”
So, here’s a challenge that I’m going to make for all of us: If death came calling, and they answered, delete their number.
But when you do, how about let me know in the comments how many names you wound up deleting!
Creepy, isn’t it?
Update: I found 16 names. I can only bring myself to delete a few. I think, for me, it’s that I don’t want to forget.
The Recovering Legalist 
I don’t have any phone numbers of deceased people, but I am still Facebook friends with my mother-in-law who passed away in 2013. Your post made me go looking through her old posts and photos and they made me smile…so I think I will stay friends with her 🙂
I never delete anyone who dies. Not ever going to.
“The memory of the just is blessed.”
What about old employers, doctors, or businesses that have gone under?
I purged about 3000 contacts after I had been out of PR for 2 years.
But I still have 1668. Alphabetically my 1st contact is one I have no memory of who/what it is, “Alabama T,” and my last contact is Richard Young, of the Kentucky Headhunters.
Just think, what if you still had a Roladex (sp?)
Ironically, just the other day I deleted 3 names from my contact list. I had to enter a new youth parent’s contact info, and I saw my mom’s name. I kept hers to remind me to pray for my dad, but it reminded me that I have lost a few friends whose numbers I could delete.
I don’t know.. I suppose it could be hard to delete the phone number of a dear friend or a parent. It is the same thought I had about Facebook or other social media accounts.. What will we do? What are we supposed to do or feel?
Interesting post, anyway. Thanks for sharing 💕
You’re welcome. It’s an emotional thing, isn’t it?
2 on my phone and 3 on my Facebook. It feels like it’s been a short time since they died but also a long time as well if that makes sense.