May 1, 2010: Cardboard Dad

If you thought the stiff on the motorcycle was weird, get a load of this.

Paul Challis, a father-of-two, died from cancer at just 38, weeks after being diagnosed with two brain tumours. His wife Maria, 36, was determined that their two children – Jack, seven, and Molly, nine – would not forget his memory so has installed a 6'1" cardboard model in their living room.

Yeah, OK... A lot of widows keep a photograph of their dead husband on display, although they usually aren't life size. But it gets better...

The 2D father was a guest at his own funeral and even attended his friend's wedding weeks after his death. Paul's death had been so shocking to his family and friends Maria decided he was still going to be the heart of the party even in death. The cut-out was made for Paul's funeral but afterwards his grieving wife could not bear to get rid of it.

Well, with the short time from prognosis to death, I guess it would take a little time to adjust.

"The children have even dressed him up in a Santa outfit at Christmas and as Dracula on Halloween.

OK, a long time to adjust.[COLOR="White"].............[/COLOR] Coping their way, I guess.

link

A cutout poster of the dad holding a wine bottle... Interesting. Propaganda by the mother? Hm. :eyebrow:

Well, if heaven forbid something should happen to someone here on the Cellar, I think we should do the same thing.

But we'd take the picture from the NSFW thread.

I like it when people can laugh at death. It's very reassurring.

Hence the expression 'Board Stiff'. :o

Maria said: "When Paul was diagnosed I turned to him and said,? bloody typical, you have to have two, don't you?

I always said "If it's free, we'll have two"...

Paul died in July 2009 and true to form he had organised his own funeral in a funny, memorable way.

A white camper van was organised to drive him to church and Paul planned the ceremony to include the songs Queen's 'Another One Bites The Dust' and Monty Python's 'Always Look On the Bright Side of Life'.

Sounds like a good dude. I think he would have loved the cutout.

The happy side of a Norman Bates spoof.

Just wait until mom gets a boyfriend.

skysidhe;652934 wrote:

The happy side of a Norman Bates spoof.

Just wait until mom gets a boyfriend.

Sky is right...A lady always needs a chaperon. :D It may get confusing with all the cut-outs at the movie theater, as people may think she's with a celebrity. ;)

The humorous side of pathological grief.

lol

I think this is totally awesome, and may have to insist that someone do this when I die.

Elspode;653212 wrote:

I think this is totally awesome, and may have to insist that someone do this when I die.

We'll do it!

[SIZE="1"]Need something new at the shooting range.[/SIZE] :apistola:

Why wait? I have one that sits at my desk at work. I'm home sleeping, and no one is the wiser.