To Nap, Divine

Tikkun olam

I don’t think Pete Davidson is funny. Then again, I didn’t understand what was so special about a Facebook that would make it an advertising behemoth. So if you need special perspective outside napping, you knocked on the wrong door. 

But when it comes to napping, which is why you are here — unless you are dragged here as family members or a Russian bot boosting our numbers while stealing our napping ideas — I know a thing or two. 

So imagine my surprise when I saw Pete’s cold open for SNL included a touching monologue. He lost his father on 9/11 and told a story about how Eddie Murphy’s album made him laugh for the first time in a year. So as much as the content wasn’t suitable for an 8 year old, his mom let him listen. Pete’s point is that while some may say that a tragedy is no time for laughter or fun, it does play an important role. I couldn’t agree more, and for those who deal with heartache, sorrow and anxiety by seeking comedic outlets, good for you. 

What does this have to do with TND? Probably not what you’d expect. See, we don’t think TND is here for comedic value. Sure, we are funny — very funny actually. Just ask us. And as Matt has quoted The Wife, about 10 people think our meant-to-be-funny stories are funny, and the other legions of followers have no idea what the hell we are talking about. IFYKYK I guess. Where was I? Oh yeah, we are funny. But that’s not the goal of TND. We actually take napping very seriously, and in the TAENR you’d see a lot less joking and a lot more serious discussion of napping practices, tips and encouragement. That sometimes we use our extensive humor to get a point across belies the fact that the actual message is a serious one we take pride in evangelizing. 

That sure as hell came in handy this past week, and will continue to be a focus. Our collective and individual mental focus on the no-words-to-describe war on (not “in”) Israel does not compare to those who are living it in Israel every day. But worrying for others, and the general anxiety and fear — for our brothers and sisters in Israel, for our families and communities here, for all right-minded, peace loving humans, and for the future of the world we are raising our kids, among other light topics — that has ported its way into our American Lives has taken its own toll. 

Last week, after I had already knocked out a midday nap, the kids came home from school. Normally, even if I’m tired, the sheer excitement of their arrival boosts my adrenaline and I am ready to go. It’s only after they wear out my last nerves that exhaustion resets itself. 

So it was not even unusual, it was downright unprecedented to double dip while they were there. Sure, a first nap, on the weekend, when they have been around. They even know what my wake up alarm sound is and line up to greet my return to the day. But a second one, when they just arrived? Unheard of. But it wasn’t even controllable. Reading on the couch with HEF, my eyes fluttered. This wasn’t going to pass. I excused myself and said I needed a 15 minute reset. 

When I awoke, I saw a message from the Rabbi in TAENR. “I just took an ‘emotionally exhausted about Israel’ nap.” Woah. The good Rabbi had, as usual, put into words and given me perspective on what I had just experienced myself.  

All week it went on like that. Comedy didn’t get me thru the day. Food hasn’t tasted very good. Family and friends coalescing and providing mutual support, updates, insights and encouragement has been beautiful, but too heavy. I even dropped out of the family chat for a while. 

My escape has been my 15-45 minutes of me time to close my eyes, pick a cheat code, and escape the noise. That’s my path back to being a better and more present Father, son, brother, and SMF.