The Nap Series

 

When my son Max was about 7 months old I was so keenly aware of how important nap time was. Not for him, but for me. I needed Max to go take his nap so I could eat my lunch, decompress, have an hour or two dedicated to “ME TIME”. But Max didn’t get the memo. He would stare up at me and laugh and laugh while I thought about all the things I wish I was doing instead of rocking him back and forth for what felt like an eternity. I finally realized that this nap time business wasn’t going to go away. I needed a way to shift my swirling thoughts back to the present moment.

I decided to bring my iphone to bed and once he fell asleep I took a photo of the two of us in whatever position he ended up in. Seeing that first photo, I was hooked.  When I saw how the light was falling on this frustrating situation my mind quieted. My heart burst open at the sight of the two if us, peaceful and content, tangled together in a compositionally pleasing snuggle. I started to notice deeper clues about our relationship that showed up within the photograph. Our closeness, and our deep connection was revealing itself to me in a way I felt inside but had never really seen in this way before.  The Nap series was born.

Two years later, I am so grateful for the collection of Nap photos of the two of us that document a time in our lives that is short lived and so precious.  I didn’t realize that I was trying to leave a situation that was truly incredible. What was the bigger lesson for me? Don’t leave before the miracle happens. Use the camera to shift perception from mind to soul. I remember this whenever I find myself frustrated, stressed out, or in fear. Bring it back to the present. Grab your camera and see with your heart.  Creating this nap series has increased my ability to “see” in ways I didn’t expect. It continues to help me connect more deeply with the preciousness of these fleeting moments.

Photo essay and words courtesy of Catherine Just. You can view a larger portion of the nap series on Catherine's blog.

What better photo essay to share when our prompt is "bed"? Share with us how you get cozy in your bed today and tag your snuggly shots #sselevate.

Comments

[Yvonne]

Empty BED,
empty room
quiet house
youngest child has gone off to college
but my heart is full
with all of the years spent with her.


http://afightingoptimist.blogspot.com/2012/08/bed.html

[Misty]

Such beautiful photos and a great spiritual reminder. Naps are for grownups too! http://www.mistysmornings.com/2011/07/savoring-summer-saturdays-naps.html

[melissa]

Really sweet.

My littlest boys in my bed earlier this month .. http://www.flickr.com/photos/melissatalbert/7889351428/in/photostream

[Gabriele]

Sleep. what a great photo subject. It is so vulnerable.
http://backontheflooragain.blogspot.com/2011/08/surrender-to-sleep.html

[Eileen]

I absolutely love your napping series. I wish I had thought to do that! What a precious time, and precious memories for you.

I love taking photos of my daughter napping.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/2peasandablueberry/7747904854/in/photostream

[sarah]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/the-mer-family/7891853194/in/pool-1046943@N23/lightbox/
last night i couldn't wait to climb in.

i also shared over on instagram this morning our typical morning bed (via wilburandfern) they always come in to do a 'sister meeting' i don't mind getting kicked out & i love coming back in my room and finding them...precious time right there for the three of them.

[Susan]

Beautiful series! Thanks for the reminder of such a sweet time.

[Rina Shapira]

This is such a moment of truth captured in beautiful images, and a soulful essay. It brought back my long ago memories of time and sleep deprivation. You had the presence of mind to transform that into a precious life-long gift to you, your son, and all of us. Thank you, Catherine.

[L. McG.-E.]

Such beautiful images. I truly loved the times when my children were little and we would nap together. Now they are much older but my youngest child who has autism and severe learning and language delay still enjoys a nap.

I wrote about it here:

http://penbleth.co.uk/22/08/2012/daydream/

[geetlee]

So lovely to have a little toddler to share nap times with :)

I took this photo of our bedroom a few months back.. really loved the light coming in
http://www.flickr.com/photos/geetlee/7896107342/

[Gail O]

You wrote:
"I didn’t realize that I was trying to leave a situation that was truly incredible. ...Don’t leave before the miracle happens. Use the camera to shift perception from mind to soul."

Thank you, VisionQuest sister: these words - along with your story - gave me goosebumps...

[gladys hedaya]

Catherine, I am absolutely moved. My six month old daughter barely sleeps in the day and you've just inspired me to embrace the challenge and make it a positive, connective moment. Your writing and photography touched my heart :)

[Lindsey (aka modchik)]

I love when Catherine's nap photos show up in my Instagram feed, makes me smile every time.

[Barbara]

These photos bring me to tears. They fill my heart with the memories of mine when they were small. So wise are you, to capture these precious times.