Sunday Afternoon Naps

I took a nap this afternoon.

That is to say, it's Sunday.

Growing up in a pastor's family, Sunday afternoon naps weren't optional. They were required. Nay, they were next to godliness.

When I was a child, I didn't appreciate the tradition. I remember being forced to go into a darkened room on Sunday afternoons, long after I had given up naps on other days of the week. A skinny shaft of sunlight would tease me from under the window shade. I could hear the neighborhood kids laughing and calling to each other. Sometimes, I would sneak to the window and pull the shade to the side, just an inch, so I could gaze out at the promised land and the heathens that inhabited it.

As I got older, the naps became a refuge. The Sunday schedule was firmly fixed by the time I was a teenager. Get up. Say good-bye to Dad, since he had to leave super early for Important Pastor Stuff. Take a shower. Eat a bowl of cereal for breakfast, the only day each week my Mom didn't make us a hot meal. Curl bangs. Tease hair. Fight with Mom about why I had to wear a slip under my dress. (She usually won the battle. I won the war. I haven't worn a slip since I was 16.) Drive to church. Screech into parking lot, since we were usually running late. (Maybe because 1 Mom + 4 kids - 1 Dad = perpetual tardiness.) Go to Sunday school. Go to church. Hang around and talk with friends. Say good-bye to friends. Hang around and read books in the library. Hang around some more. Eventually leave for home, where Mom served us a huge Sunday dinner. Eat until my stomach feels ready to burst. Fall into bed and nap until 5:00, when it was time to get up, fight with my Mom about why I shouldn't have to wear a dress to Sunday night service and then attend said service.

These days, the Sunday afternoon nap isn't a regularly scheduled event. My Sundays aren't nearly as structured now as they used to be. I guess that's because I'm the Mom now, and it's hard to find time to sleep without everyone suddenly remembering they need me.

But today, I napped. (Thank you, Corey.) And it was good.
Posted by Kelly @ Love Well on Sunday, October 12, 2008

35 comments:

  1. CCSunday, October 12, 2008 11:14:00 PM

    Just found you via your post on Compassion. Lovely words. My children were both born in Korea and I think about the many lives they have affected. I love your pebble analogy. The ripples have affected many.

    I also LOVE your title and theme of your blog!!

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  2. MichelleMonday, October 13, 2008 12:22:00 AM

    I'm so glad you got your nap! I agree, now that I'm the mom, it's not worth it to even try...because someone needs something right when you are the most cozy...and trying to get up from that is just torture.

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  3. EmilyMonday, October 13, 2008 12:36:00 AM

    Funny you should post about this because Diane and I were just talking about naps this week! She still makes her girls take a nap every Sunday (3rd and 5th grade) because, like us, growing up when your parents work at church- you are at church for 1/2 of the day on Sunday! :) We are still BLESSED to be able to take a Sunday nap almost every week- and Silas is normally so tired from the nursery we get a good 3 hour nap in- today we woke up at 6pm... :) I guess I shouldn't wonder why Silas had a hard time falling asleep tonight!

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  4. UnknownMonday, October 13, 2008 1:17:00 AM

    yay for naps! Glad you got some rest :) Sunday naps seem to be the best.

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  5. Julie in LawMonday, October 13, 2008 1:21:00 AM

    Congratulations on your nap today! I got one too and I normally do not. If feels so good to wake up naturally, instead of being woken by a crying baby. Bliss.

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  6. Jackie Monday, October 13, 2008 2:29:00 AM

    My Sunday afternoon naps are usually taken on the couch with the football game on as background noise. It is sublime.

    And slips are of the devil.

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  7. Lisa HellierMonday, October 13, 2008 4:41:00 AM

    My Dad has a Quiet Time rule throughout our childhood. I used that precedent to institute Room Time every day of the week. The boys don't have to nap, but they do have to give Mom private time.

    On Sundays, I nap. Maybe I'll declare today Sunday too.

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  8. Jessica StockMonday, October 13, 2008 6:43:00 AM

    this totally was my life on sundays growing up (minus the pastor dad) . . . four kids, fighting about church clothes, always late, naps . . . great memories! (But aren't you glad we don't wear slips anymore?)

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  9. DeidreMonday, October 13, 2008 6:56:00 AM

    "so I could gaze out at the promised land and the heathens that inhabited it." - that cracked me up!!

    I just had this discussion with my 6 year old yesterday. We had a really busy weekend and I (for once) forced her to take a Sunday afternoon nap. I told her to be thankful because it was a privilege to do so - ha! She wasn't buying it.

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  10. Jules from "The Roost"Monday, October 13, 2008 8:11:00 AM

    You will probably feel better all week!:) Way to go, mom!

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  11. a Tonggu MommaMonday, October 13, 2008 8:31:00 AM

    The husband has been away for the past five days - on a holiday weekend, no less. When I could be napping. So glad you got YOUR nap though. ;)

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  12. UnknownMonday, October 13, 2008 9:17:00 AM

    I used to love a good nap. Now, if I nod off for even ten minutes I can't sleep at night! I'm gald you can still enjoy one, though!

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  13. Mocha with LindaMonday, October 13, 2008 9:34:00 AM

    Ahh, this brought back memories. I too remember lying there in tortured agnst on Sunday afternoons. But since Sunday night church meant going to bed late, it was not an option. Now, I love to doze. But I can's sleep much or it wrecks my night.

    Like they say, youth is wasted on the young.

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  14. MelanieMonday, October 13, 2008 9:52:00 AM

    Hey, Kelly! I've been reading for awhile, but I think this is my first comment. I can SO relate to this post.. I too grew up in a minister's family and that Sunday afternoon naptime is most definitely a required event. Happens every week like clockwork.. my parents still do that to this day! :)

    Love your blog! Have a great week!

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  15. AmandaMonday, October 13, 2008 9:55:00 AM

    My mom used to tape a note to her door warning us of the dire consequences of disturbing her Sunday nap. I plan to carry on that tradition as soon as my kid(s) can read.

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  16. Heather of the EOMonday, October 13, 2008 12:02:00 PM

    Way to go, Corey! And you, for allowing yourself to rest!

    I love your childhood Sunday description. Sometimes I long for that kind of good ol' day. So structured and routine and full of yummy meals and naps. sigh...

    I mean, not that things aren't like that around here all.the.time...

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  17. BeckMonday, October 13, 2008 1:28:00 PM

    Oh, your mom sounds smart. I wish I'd instituted a Sunday afternoon nap, too.

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  18. Queen BMonday, October 13, 2008 2:34:00 PM

    There is nothing better and more restful than a Sunday afternoon nap... if only my daughter felt the same.

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  19. Natalie WitcherMonday, October 13, 2008 2:47:00 PM

    Mmmm, brings back memories. I wasn't a Pastor's kid, but I stilled loved Sunday afternoon!

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  20. Mrs. HawkMonday, October 13, 2008 3:53:00 PM

    I nap a lot during football season...isn't that why the Vikings games are televised? :)

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  21. Susan from Food BloggaMonday, October 13, 2008 5:25:00 PM

    Mandatory Sunday naps? That's a tradition I could get into!

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  22. Beachy MimiMonday, October 13, 2008 7:22:00 PM

    I, too, am a Sunday nap junkie. They are just the best. I haven't worn a slip in years, either.

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  23. Beachy MimiMonday, October 13, 2008 7:22:00 PM

    I, too, am a Sunday nap junkie. They are just the best. I haven't worn a slip in years, either.

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  24. Melissa StoverMonday, October 13, 2008 9:16:00 PM

    sunday naps are the best!

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  25. Lisa @ The Preacher's WifeMonday, October 13, 2008 9:22:00 PM

    Do you have any idea how much I relate to this post? lol

    Naps are a luxury we don't get often but if it is at all possible, I dive into my pj's as soon as we hit the door Sunday afternoon...

    Love you my friend!

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  26. CourtneyTuesday, October 14, 2008 7:50:00 AM

    Ahhhhh i remember Sunday afternoon naps. Sunday was always my fave day as a kid. I would get up and go to church with my mom and dad and then we went to my grandma's house for dinner. YUMMY!!!! Usually consisting of some kind of beef roast and veggies with a gazillion side dishes. It was what made Sunday special. Then after we ate i usually fell asleep on my grandma's couch watching some type of cartoon on tv. Man i miss those carefree days.

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  27. CyndiTuesday, October 14, 2008 12:57:00 PM

    Sunday afternoon naps are just the BEST!!! Like you, when I grew up they weren't optional. Now, I crave them! This was a great post!

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  28. Kelly @ Growing.Learning.Playing.Tuesday, October 14, 2008 2:01:00 PM

    True. And I got a 3 1/2 hour nap last Sunday. It was heavenly.

    No pun intended.

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  29. Stephanie Wilson she/her @babystephTuesday, October 14, 2008 7:06:00 PM

    I napped yesterday, too, and it was HEAVENLY! Most churches out here don't have Sunday evening services anymore, but oh do I remember how hard Sundays were... I can't imagine doing it with four kids!

    Steph

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  30. susannaTuesday, October 14, 2008 8:38:00 PM

    Oh, Kelly....I lived thru the same torment of afternoon naps being a PK. Except that somewhere in the nap time I usually got spanked. Because I wouldn't nap. And my parents were tormented by me. I always envied those heathen kids playing outside. Now I would give an entire bag of chocolate chips and possibly one of my children for a Sunday afternoon nap. Times do change, don't they?

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  31. MissyTuesday, October 14, 2008 9:13:00 PM

    Oh my goodness. You know our girls will never even know what a slip is. But I used to wear them all the time. Do they make dresses differently now, or what?

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  32. Rach@In His HandsWednesday, October 15, 2008 1:55:00 PM

    Hi! I recently found your blog and I'm enjoying it!
    My hubby is studying to be a pastor...we are ALL about those precious Sunday afternoon naps.
    ~ Rachel

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  33. LisaWednesday, October 15, 2008 5:36:00 PM

    Oh. My. I am a PK and that Sunday routine sounds just about exactly right, except for the mom cooking thing. So familiar! And always for night service, "WHY do I have to wear a skirt??"

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  34. CarolynThursday, October 16, 2008 4:47:00 PM

    I found your blog on a link from "The Extraordinary Ordinary" and I was absolutely rewarded for my curiosity. You are a fantastic writer and the design of your site is wonderful!

    Also, I love Sunday afternoon naps. I have a white board in my kitchen that details my tasks for each day. My only task on Sunday is to take a nap. I haven't done that in months and months. One of these days, though, I'm going to crack down on myself and take that blissful (and mandated) nap.

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  35. AnonymousFriday, October 24, 2008 9:48:00 PM

    Did you know sleeping is my favorite hobby? You betcha. It's funny how things change; I'd pay good money for a regular Sunday nap! Eureka!!! - Reason #32 I'm actually happy the business crashed, lol, we're bringing naps back!! :o)

    Blessings, Whitney

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