I guess my new vent is my phone sent this too soon and it took me so long to finish my edit time was up!
Since all we have been getting lately is spam calls, DH had the number cancelled as of the end of this month. It isn't actually a separate line any more, but a second ring on our own line so we couldn't just unplug the phone.
So, I was going through some papers and came across my Mom's death notice and certificate just as Dad's line rang. The woman asked for Pat, which was my Mom's name. It was actually for the wife of a family who had the number over four years ago and we have been getting their calls all that time - friends, collection agencies (including for the phone company ironically) you name it.
But it was just a bad time and I broke down. DH called the phone company and asked to have the number removed from our line IMMEDIATELY. The tech said they can't do that because we are paid up until the end of the month and they can't refund the difference. It is June 26 and the cost of the ring is $2.50 a month. I think we can survive the loss.
I will be so glad when I have gone through all of this. There will always be memories, but hearing my Mom's name on my Dad's phone was a little tough. I shouldn't let it bother me.