I wake up in the morning and am greeted by the red light blinking in my phone cheerfully. It signifies the presence of a message of some sort. Someone remembered me as I slept. Excitedly, I open my inbox and find a round smiley with eyes shut and two small arms encircling it, it`s a hug to me from my daughter. I send two hugs right back, letting her know that I am missing her twice as much.
On days when my daughter is not happy, I get sad smileys and they break my heart. `What happened?` I ask her, praying that it is something I can solve long distance. She sends me one back with eyes rolling. An assignment got delayed and now it cannot be submitted, yet more unhappy smileys follow. Cheer up, I tell her it`s not all that bad. You are managing your new life admirably. I put in a `thumbs up` sign for good measure. She sends me back a calm, meditative smiley with a halo around its head. Signifying elevated state of consciousness. Despite myself, I grin.
These little, circular, emoticons have become a part of my life and my communication. Saying more with their little faces than words can sometimes express.
Whether one is sad, happy, cool, naughty, loving, shy, sleepy or delighted, there is an emoticon for every feeling. The one I dread receiving the most has a bawling mouth and is shedding copious tears. I dislike thinking about what might have transpired before it landed on my screen in a full throated cry. Unfortunately tears cannot be wiped out long distance…..
When did conversation become so animated? Last I remember we used to be writing long letters expressing our feelings and describing our day and its events. By the time it reached the addressee, the event and the associated emotions were long forgotten. Now I am depending on a grid of funny faces to complete my sentences and courier instant love and hugs to someone I cherish, who resides in a different country. It is a novel situation indeed.
A new emoticon has arrived, it is an empty speech bubble. I look at it ironically because it expresses the vacant state of my mind. Just when I think I have understood life and technology a little, it gleefully pokes me to make me aware of just how little I know… 🙂