I read in a story somewhere that koi fish only live for 30 seconds. That is, their memory only lasts for 30 seconds. After that, they forget everything and it's as if they're seeing everything new for the first time.
I received an email at work which obliquely reminded me of that. (Names and other certain information were deleted.)
"I am in the middle of hopefully finding my missing adult son after a 10 year search and utilize this address for emails from my detective, working on the case. I know you can understand the severity of this problem and wish [your company] to maintain a 'customer friendly profile.' Thankfully my detective had told me he believes he is getting close finally to finding my son. ..."
I replied, of course. Expressing my concern regarding her situation after explaining to her about the technicalities on her billing issues. She responded after around an hour.
"Thank you for your understanding. I have learned a great deal through this situation and that is it seems to be easier to 'become missing' than anything else you do. As citizens we have been told that our governement has a 'file' on everyone. I don't believe that anymore or by 29 my son would have accrued such a file. And so far the dectective hasn't been able to find one.
"Previously I was under the conception that only criminals etc. knew how to diseappear. Unfortunately once someone becomes 18 there are no laws to help a parent find a missing young adult son or daughter. Gratefully a Senator has recently stepped forward and promises to address this problem because it's happening in the thousands.
"It happens not only to parents and grandparents but also to young adults who have had their parents disappear and tried with no results to find them or in some situations have had doors physically slammed in their faces upon attempt to see an estranged parent. The hurt goes both ways."
I wonder how the son must be feeling, after ten years...? I'm lighting a candle for this woman later...
