No Bitcoins

One of the easiest things to do in this complicated world is assign blame.

And, of course, on one occasion (or more) I admit to guilt about this especially in the world of Covid.

However, after much thought and introspection, I believe that the lengthy period of lockdown was responsible to a degree for the breakdown of communication between an esteemed credit card company and me.

The year I was 18, self supporting and immature, I showed Dad my new credit card. I have never forgotten his utter horror as he told me “Only pay cash.”

Much later that afternoon, Mom reminded me about my Father’s bankruptcy caused by the 1929 stock market crash. And of course, that had destroyed Bill Donlon’s dream to be his own boss.

I didn’t forget that warning, but I didn’t destroy the new credit card.

As the decades passed, I used it often without any issue or problem.

That was why I was so incredibly shocked when recently an esteemed credit card company, a reliable bank, and I, a humble customer, disagreed.

I wondered why or how it could happen.

Then I recalled that during the period of Covid enforced lockdown, I could not observe Dad’s advice,….”Only pay cash.”

There was absolutely no way I could leave our locked down premises for well over a year. Both my bank and ATM were out of bounds.

However I could still make wire transfer payments and yes, purchases. And that I did without qualm.

It is a complicated world, and during the lengthy period I had many fears. Yet none about errors in financial transactions ever arose.

Today, as hopefully, life resumes to some degree, there will be several layers of scar tissue.

One will be my return to listening to my wise father, and always paying by cash or written check.

Also, the loss of a comfortable relationship with a once esteemed credit card company.

The trauma of Covid lingers on.