Family's Skeleton Display Brings Joy to Cancer Patient in Ohio
A family's playful skeleton displays in Oxford, Ohio, unexpectedly became a source of comfort for a cancer patient. Their creative scenes offered daily cheer during her treatment journey.
In Oxford, Ohio, the Pyles family has been creating a unique spectacle that's capturing the attention of passersby and bringing unexpected joy to the community. For over a year, Bill Pyles and his family have been arranging playful skeleton displays on their front lawn, changing the scenes twice weekly to keep things interesting.
The displays, which feature two 12-foot skeletons alongside dozens of 5-foot skeletons and animal figures, have become a local attraction. Drivers often honk and cheer as they pass by, appreciating the family's creativity and humor. The Pyles family's collection has grown to include about 50 skeletons, including a dog, horse, cow, and donkey.
What the Pyles family didn't realize was the profound impact their skeletal antics were having on one particular community member. On September 10, 2024, Bill Pyles received a letter addressed to "The Family Bone" that would touch his heart deeply.
The letter was from Tammy Weihe, an Oxford resident diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2024. For 19 days, Weihe and her husband had been making a 20-mile journey to the cancer center for her radiation treatments. Along the way, the Pyles family's skeleton display became a bright spot in their difficult journey.
"A highlight of my journey has been checking to see who else has joined the bone family and what they are up to."
Moved by Weihe's words, the Pyles family immediately set to work on a special display to celebrate the end of her radiation treatments. They created colorful signs with encouraging messages, working from 3:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. to ensure it was ready for Weihe's final treatment day on September 11, 2024.
The gesture deeply touched Weihe, who is the fifth person in two generations of her family to have breast cancer. She emphasized the importance of kindness and how the skeleton displays helped broaden her perspective during a challenging time.
Inspired by the positive response, the Pyles family now plans to continue their skeleton displays year-round, with ideas for various holidays and occasions. Bill Pyles explained the universal appeal of skeletons, stating, "We are all, no matter who you are, a skeleton inside. No matter your race, religion, anything about you."
This heartwarming story reminds us of the unexpected ways we can impact others' lives. As Pyles suggests, "Try to brighten one person's day, and you've done your job."
Interestingly, while these skeleton displays bring joy, they also relate to fascinating facts about the human skeleton. For instance, an adult human skeleton consists of 206 bones, which make up about 20% of the body's total weight. The skeleton serves six major functions: support, movement, protection, blood cell production, mineral storage, and endocrine regulation.
The human hand alone contains 27 bones, while the skull is composed of 22 bones. Despite its seemingly static nature, bone is actually living tissue containing blood vessels and nerves, constantly remodeling throughout life. The study of bones, known as osteology, reveals that the skeleton stops growing in length during puberty, although bone density can continue to change.
As the Pyles family continues to bring smiles with their skeletal creations, they're also inadvertently showcasing the marvel of the human body's internal framework, reminding us of the common structure we all share beneath our skin.
