Purgatory

As an Orthodox Christian, the term "Purgatory" if foreign to me.  Most Orthodox Christians assume that they will go to Heaven.  If you don't go to Heaven, the you're going to HELL.  Unfortunately there does not appear to be any in between place to hang out.  So, what is Purgatory.  Well, defined, Purgatory is the condition or process of purification or temporary punishment in which, it is believed, that the souls of those who die in a state of grace are made ready for Heaven.  Hmmm....seems life a half way house to Heaven.  Well, since today's blog is NOT about death....but rather texting, I am borrowing the term "Purgatory" to describe that place where TOO many text conversations land.  In this modern age where no one can pick up a phone and just F-ing call someone, we are forced to turn to other measures....texting.  Now, "I" tried to avoid falling victim to the texting phenomenon, but literally NO ONE answers their phone anymore.  Not sure if it's a screening thing (you can see the incoming call digits) or if it's a multi-tasking thing (sitting in a meeting with your phone on mute and still having the ability to take calls).  Either way, it's annoying.....and for MANY reasons.  The first one is that....not growing up texting, it takes me forever.  I don't know all the cute abbreviations (for you Polly...notice I didn't say acronyms) and cannot allow myself to text without using correct punctuation.   The second thing that is wrong with texting is that it is SO hard to convey the REAL message that you are trying to get across.  It's hard to detect sarcasm or lack there of, or sincerity...or lack there of, in a text.  I "personally" have gotten all bent out of shape over a text, because the way I read it was NOT the way it was intended when written.  If that person had just            c-a-l-l-e-d me, there would have been no question as to the intent of the message.  The third, but not final, thing that unnerves me about texting is that I usually cannot REALLY say EVERYTHING that I want to say as it's a combination of taking too long to type it all AND the damn keypad (letters) on the phone are SO small that I am constantly typing...correcting....typing...correcting.....   I get tired of typing and give up before I ever REALLY get to say what I want!!!  In my mind, though, the WORST THING ABOUT TEXTING is TEXTING PURGATORY!!!!  Oh My Goodness (didn't write OMG, because you would have assumed that I was going to say Oh My God, and I am trying not to use God's name like that anymore....baby steps....baby steps....) it is the WORST.  So I FINALLY get on board with the whole texting thing...take my time....write it all out....use correct punctuation (as not to confuse the meaning of the message) and then you get a one word response back from the other person.  REALLY?  It wasn't a "yes" or "no" question!!!   And THEN, when you text back and ask for clarity......crickets.  Suddenly the person on the other end disappears.  Did they not like that you asked for clarity?  Did their phone go dead?  Were they abducted by a stranger?  WHAT???  Don't just leave me hanging in TEXTING PURGATORY!!!  Or, someone drops a bomb on you in a text (happened to me today) and you write back for more details.....crickets.  If someone is texting me, and they happen to mention that they are in the car, and we've been texting back and forth for a while.....the second they don't reply.....?.....  I'm convinced that they have been in a huge accident and are currently being care flighted to the hospital.  It's just who I am.  My mind starts playing tricks on me and I start creating all these scenarios in my mind.  UGH!!!!  So people.....today's blog is short and sweet.....    Text if you MUST, but don't leave your friends, family, enemies, coworkers in TEXTING PURGATORY!!!!  Either actively text....allowing them into Heaven.....OR ignore the initial text and don't get involved and send them to HELL!!!