When we think about heros, we think about people like Chelsey Sullenburger the United Airlines pilot who safely landed an airplane in the Hudson River; maybe people think of heros such as cartoon figures like Superman; When I think of a hero, the name that comes to mind is Cody Stephens.
Cody, a lifetime cowboy, began his rodeo career almost from birth. At age 15, Cody was a youth rodeo director for Rodeo Attitude, leading the way for current and future youth cowboys and cowgirls to follow their rodeo dreams.
Cody made the American Cowboys Rodeo Association bull-riding finals five straight years in a row, winning 48 champion belt buckles and two saddles while making a living on the rodeo circuit. On April 22, Cody was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. In November of 2009, Cody underwent a bone marrow transplant.
Cody's attitude: I am not done fighting. I will never stop fighting. No words spoken were more true than the words Cody spoke. Through all of the ups and downs, Cody fought with everything he had; never complaining, never giving up and always staying positive.
What is a hero? A hero is a man distinguished by exceptional courage, nobility and strength. No definition is more true when talking about Cody. “They don’t know me. I’m not done yet,” he told Bret Griffin recently. Bret told everyone that giving up is something Cody doesn’t know how to do. I had the honor of knowing Cody for many years. Talk about a guy with grit. Cody always made people smile, those blue eyes, that dimple, everything about him was amazing. When you met Cody, you instantly liked him.
When I found about about Cody's crush on Lindsay Sears, I knew I had to do something. I made some calls, was able to get in touch with Lindsay and she called Cody. They had an instant connection. Lindsay is an angel. A true lady with a heart of gold who wanted to support Cody every step of the way.
On Wednesday, with the assistance of the wonderful people at Western Wishes, Lindsay came to Cody's hospital room for a visit. You should have seen the smile on his face. Talk about lighting up a room! Lindsay gave Cody her go-round buckle she won at the NFR Finals in round 2. Cody was so grateful. Lindsay sat with Cody until the early hours of the morning. They talked about rodeos, horses and everything in between. Cody showed Lindsay photos of himself riding bulls. Lindsay called Cody her hero. I can tell you that I was truly humbled to be a part of watching Cody's dreams come true and watching the happiness he had.
On Friday, Cody's sister Ashley and I had manicures. Orange and black nail polish with OSU painted on our thumbnails to be exact. Why you ask? Cody was an Oklahoma State University fan through and through. He loved everything about them. Ironic that OSU's mascot is the Cowboy. Cody had laughed with his nurses that he was going to paint his nails orange to show Lindsay his "wild side." We decided that it was a great way to have some fun with Cody. Cody's aunts and a few other wonderful ladies followed suit and painted their nails orange too. Cody found it humerous.
Cody asked me a few months ago why this was happening to him. I told him I had no idea but that one day, the Lord would tell us why Cody was chosen. On Friday, I figured it out. The Kansas City Star had written an article about Cody. After seeing the comments being posted on the Kansas City Star website, it dawned on me why God had chosen Cody. Cody taught all of us strength, triumph, and how to treat fellow mankind. His humble attitude, his amazing strength and courage was a gift from God and Cody to all of us. A lesson that I will carry for a lifetime.
Surrounded by his family, Cody passed away at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 16, 2010. While my heart is heavy at the loss of my friend, I am thankful to him for blessing my life with all of his wonderful gifts. They are gifts that I will cherish and pass on to others for the rest of my life. I hope that knowing Cody's story will help those who knew him and those who didn't to take a step back, take a memory of Cody and pass on his wonderful spirit to a neighbor or a stranger as it is what Cody did his entire life. I also ask that you pray for Cody's family in this time of sorrow.
Our gracious and heavenly Father, we pause in the midst of this festive occasion, mindful and thoughtful of the guidance that you have given us. As cowboys, Lord, we don't ask for any special favors, we ask only that you let us compete in this arena, as in lifes arena. We don't ask to never break a barrier, or to draw a round of steer that's hard to throw, or a chute fighting horse, or a bull that is impossible to ride. We only ask that you help us to compete as honest as the horses we ride and in a manner as clean and pure as the wind that blows across this great land of ours. So when we do make that last ride that is inevitable for us all to make, to that place up there, where the grass is green and lush and stirrup high, and the water runs cool, clear, and deep -
You'll tell us as we ride in that our entry fees have been paid. These things we ask - Amen.
Funeral arrangments are pending in Monett, Missouri and will be announced as soon as they are made available.
Rest in peace Cowboy.
Ann Brumback, Director
Rodeo Attitude Sports Medicine
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