Hugging mattress
“Mom?” “Yes.” “Nothing.”
“What is it baby?” “Well it’s just that wouldn’t it be great if mattresses had spaces for your arm, so that when you rolled onto your side, you could fit just right?” “That would be nice.” “And good for your back, probably, because it would let your spine be straight, which I know is important.” “That is important.” “Also, it would make snuggling easier. You know how that arm constantly gets in the way?” “I do.” “And making snuggling easier is important.” “Very.”
from Extremely Loud & Incredible Close by Jonathan Safran Foer
When I was little, I slept with my arm in the crevice between trundle bed because of this dilemma. Where’s one to put their arm when one sleeps on their side?
An arm hole, of course.
The idea has already been patented. Tragically, it was not by me. And more tragically, it is not available to buy.
I’m convinced that night-long hugging would make our world a more peaceful place, one un-numb limb at a time.
i got that book at the library yesterday!!! i can’t wait to read it!
kelsey
August 9, 2008 at 9:56 pm
wow. that is brilliant. i hadn’t gotten past being frustrated with the problem to coming up with a solution.
cris
August 9, 2008 at 10:51 pm
i absolutely love that book. it should be read by all.
holly
August 11, 2008 at 11:30 am
@ holly: totally.
@ cris: it’s really too bad that we weren’t the ones to come up with it. can you use your counselor charm to convince the guy who patented it that its to the detriment of his emotional wellbeing to keep the patent? and not only that, but that his life would improve dramatically by giving it to us? i think you could do it. manipulation? meh.
kenz
August 11, 2008 at 1:48 pm