Just because Kansas City looks like a pretty (and a little scary) snow globe at the moment doesn't mean that depressing news takes a break. Grab a cup of cocoa and tissues, there's a tear-jerker coming.
The Kansas City Star sports page has the story of Kansas rodeo bull rider Cody Stephens' family and a case of double-heartbreak. Stephens died last year of leukemia; he was 23. The Star reports that his family was too shaken by his death to stay in their old house and moved to a ranch in Pawhuska, Oklahoma. That's where Cody's mom, Toni Gower, put his prize buckles and saddles on display in a tribute to her son. Until some teens went and allegedly ruined everything.
The house burned to the ground on Saturday, torching the family's memorabilia collection and thrusting the family back into mourning. The article quotes Toni lamenting the loss by saying, "As long as I had those things, I still had a piece of Cody."
Reports say the fire department speculates that teens started a grass fire, which spread to the house. The Star's Donald Bradley ripped out readers' heartstrings with a scene that could wet the eyes of even the most cynical bastard:
But Sunday, Cody's mother dug through the rubble trying to find a buckle. And she did. More than one. But the metal that had shone so beautiful under the bright lights of rodeo stands was now discolored, rough and ugly. She's keeping them, though, and said she would call around. Maybe somebody can clean up her son's now-scorched prizes. She so wants them to shine again.Call your mom, everybody.
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