Make Way for Da Bears

Even the dead want to watch the Bears-Packers game this Sunday:

Charles S. Childs Jr. won't have to worry about his two Chicago funeral homes while he's watching the NFC championship game from his seats at Soldier Field.

That's because no one has scheduled a wake or funeral for Sunday, traditionally a busy day for services, Childs said. Not that anyone would admit they'd move a funeral for the mega matchup between the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears. But Childs thinks the coincidence is, well, too coincidental.

"I've seen it before," said Childs, an owner of A. A. Rayner & Sons Funeral Home. "I saw it during the Bulls' championship games. I've seen it obviously with the Bears in '85, the White Sox when they were in the World Series. I think people are intentionally avoiding that day."

Sunday's 2 p.m. game has eclipsed every other event taking place that afternoon. Realizing resistance is futile, many organizations say they're willing to make way for the contest.

Idolatry? Eh, probably just realistic planning ahead in most cases. Though I will tell you we are most definitely still having our evening service at 6pm. I will not even bring my Blackberry into the service.

Though it may be in my office for a quick peak after the benediction.