Texting or e-mail is talking without saying anything

posted 07:12 AM 12/23
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As I get older I need human interaction more and more. The longer I live, the more joys and sorrows I experience, the more I believe it's easier not to be alone.

Last month I was privileged to take my dad to the doctor. The appointment was scheduled to last 31/2 hours and I was nervous that I would get really bored waiting in the lobby that long. I could read, yes, and write, too, but what if that wasn’t enough?

I ran a few errands but even that left me with more than two hours of sitting by myself. The chairs in the clinic were full of people waiting to see the specialist or waiting for their loved one to exit the room, hoping for good news.

How fortunate for me that a wife of 57 years was waiting for her husband. She moved from Arkansas at age 16 and still held her delightful accent. It warmed my weary heart as I felt like I was sitting near my own mom talking with her.

There was also a very proud aunt and uncle whose nephew was serving his second year in the U.S. Navy. The respect in this aunt’s voice as she told how her nephew’s ship had jammed the electronics equipment of a Somalian pirate ship reminded me how proud I am to be an American where people are willing to do whatever it takes to save my freedom.

Another woman told me about her new great-great-grandson. Wow! What a legacy she and her husband have. I pondered my own legacy and renewed my hope for the future.

The hours flew by and suddenly the waiting room was empty. How lonely and silent this 100 square foot space had become in such a short time. This quietness might be how it feels to communicate mainly through e-mail and text messages, I thought. I would miss so much in life if I didn‘t talk to others.

What’s so appealing about text messaging anyway?

In my quest to understand texting, I ask students why it is so important.

“You can talk to someone without saying anything,” one told me. Another said, “There are no awkward silent moments.”

I know there are times when I don’t want to deal with something or someone, so I e-mail instead. It is easier not to intrude on someone else’s time, but is this how I want to communicate with others – talking without saying anything?

In this life I want to learn from others. Hearing full, detailed stories with expression is so interesting and I don’t want to forget how important people are. It really is impossible to understand someone else’s thoughts, feelings or mood by choosing one of 100 emoticons.

If you are blessed to have family and friends living within driving distance, please take time to visit with them face-to-face this Christmas season. Set aside some time to call family or friends on the phone and find out what is happening in their lives.

Please don’t let too much time pass by. Life is too precious not to share in it with real laughter and tears.

Merry Christmas.

Jamie Kenny, a member of The Olympian’s Board of Contributors, lives in Tenino with her husband and two teenage children. She can be reached at kpraise2him@scattercreek.com.

Comments

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