So, my uncle died yesterday after a 6+ year battle with Leukemia. He was the husband of my dad's oldest sister -- my Aunt Barb. I feel sad for her (and him), but it was not unexpected.

The girls and I were fairly close to my Aunt and Uncle -- more so than any of my other sibs -- we visited often and they babysat the girls occasionally. They have always lavished them with too many gifts and too many sweets, no doubt making up for the grandkids they never had a chance to spoil.

Now, I'm faced with a dilemma though: Do I take the kids (4 1/2 & 6 1/2) to the funeral home for the open-casket viewing on Sunday?

They understand death -- we've buried a dog and a guinea pig and flushed a fish or two, but this is a person and it's one they knew well and liked. We just saw him Saturday, in fact.

My gut instinct says that I don't necessarily want them to see that yet (to be honest, I don't want to see it). And, yet, I want them to be there for my Aunt -- cause I know she'd love to see them as would all the other relatives and friends who will come to offer their condolences.