The Forgotten

I had the unique experience, when we lived in Portland, to do first calls. For those of you who dont know what this is, it was our job to go and pick up the deceased and take them to the funeral homes. I did around 1000 removals in the short year that I worked out there. We did work for the Medical Examiners Office so we picked up all the homicides and suicides. I saw a lot. It was one of my favorite jobs though.

There are a couple of calls that have stayed with me. Some for positive reasons and some for the reason that they just broke my heart. One of these was my first medical examiners call. We were called to Portland University to the high rise dorms. There, we picked up a student who had been deceased in his room for approximately two weeks. It wasnt the look or smell of his body that has stuck with me but it was thought that this boy, who should have been having the time of his life, had no friends or family that checked on him or worried that they hadnt heard from him in two weeks. What a terribly lonely existence that young man must have lived.
Last week, Robb picked up a Jane Doe that had been sitting at the Las Vegas Morgue since 2005. She has been there 5 years and nobody has come to claim her. Robbs funeral home is going to give her a paupers funeral. This woman was someones daughter or sister or maybe even mother. What could she have done to make no one care that she is gone?
When I see these things, it just makes me appreciate so very much the wonderful family and friends that the Lord has let be a part of my life.
I am also grateful for the knowledge that I know those poor souls arent lonely anymore.
So, today I challenge you, blogger world. Next week, find someone who maybe isnt as fortunate as you. . . say hello, send them a card, take them a meal, invite them for coffee. Lets try and make sure that no one is forgotten.