The Elf on the Urn

Many of you are already aware that my sister's husband passed away suddenly a few weeks ago.   While the sadness of the situation is overwhelming at times, my family has a special knack for inappropriate humor and finding something to laugh at in the midst of tragedy.  It's how we get by.

My boys have been very inquisitive about death and dying recently.  I was a little surprised given that they are pretty much professional mourners, attending dozens of wakes and funerals each year.  Yet I failed to recognize until now that their uncle was the first person they really knew well.  Most of the services they have attended involved parents of friends, neighbors, etc...nobody that was really part of their lives. 

Jack has taken to drawing countless pictures of his uncle in a casket and playing ice hockey as an "angel" (wearing wings). He has been insisting I give these to his aunt as soon as possible, and I've been waffling about whether I should

In talking with Megan, she encouraged me to let the boys work this all out however they can, and she specifically requested their drawings.  I'm cringing a bit, but Megan has always given kids a little more leeway and acceptance than I have.  I am Captain Von Trapp, ready to blow my whistle at any time.   She's more like Willy Wonka.

Megan has her own 6 year old son who is trying to cope with the loss of his father.  Her son has asked that his father's urn be placed in his room each night so the little boy can talk to his dad.  He even placed a Santa's hat on top to include his father in the Christmas holiday.

Megan, recognizing the mourning process, irony, and the humor of it all, picked the perfect place to stash their Elf on a Shelf yesterday:

 

 
I asked her if it was okay to share the photo, as which time she replied, "it will be the first time he made your blog!"

Holy crap, our family is nuts.  But I wouldn't have it any other way.