Why are naps reserved for the very young or old and pets? I can’t remember the last time I didn’t feel terribly guilty lying down in the middle of the day when I wasn’t officially on vacation. It took the itchy, drippy, snot-filled start of a head cold to convince me I was allowed to take a couple of hours off this afternoon.
Lying on my back, looking out the window at a cold and gray afternoon, I drifted in my mind, covering all the niggling little things that bubbled to the surface.
“Did you get my budget proposal?”
“Why is that blue?!?”
“Ah, so good to see you, I’ve missed you!”
“I need to make a list…”
None of the quick scenes make any sense when I rouse and look across the room. Alice shifts and snores, I go back to dreaming.
My hospice client now sleeps a lot. He naps after breakfast and again after lunch. Eating and socializing, sleeping and dreaming. Life is simpler. I used to sit quietly in his room and listen to the shifts in his breathing; wanting to be there when he woke. Now I leave him to his dreams, his eyes flutter open then gently close. I go about other things; cooking, doing laundry and reading with the baby-monitor tuned to his room. “Hello?” he calls out. “Are you still with me?” I’m always close enough to respond. I no longer invade his space and time to journey back and reminisce. That is what naps give us. A chance to step away from the moment and travel unfettered to the dark corners of our mind…
Therapeutic Misadventures 
There isn’t much better than a good nap. My favorite place to nap in the summer is on my swing in front of my pond. The fresh air combines with the songs of birds and nature. For the duration of my nap, all is right with the world. I hope your cold doesn’t keep you down long.
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Now that sounds like a nap heaven! I took a lot of elderberry juice and tea. Problem solved!
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I look on a nap as life’s circuit breaker.Relax and reset
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Thank you Bill. What a perfect analogy! A virtual reboot, so to speak.
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I used to take a lot of naps but not so much anymore.
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I rarely do, but it is always an adventure, amazing the things one’s mind snatches at and focuses on when you are not paying attention…
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I don’t know why we feel guilty about having a nap; half the world does it. They call it a siesta.
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Thank you, gabrielleongregoryst. So happy to hear from you. Agreed, siestas are more acceptable for some reason.
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I could use a nap now.
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Or a siesta? Thanks leahlovessite!!
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yep
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I think I shall need a nap later. It’s been one of those sleepless nights.
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Sounds like you have had some storms and bad weather, Marie. Hope you are out walking again soon!
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We have just come back from a weekend in Manchester. Lots of walking but, unfortunately, Commando had to pull out of the marathon because of an ankle injury.
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Oh No! Poor Commando. Hope he heals quickly.
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