Help me honor Steve and the sacrifice he is making by posting your favorite memory or characteristic of Steve here. Let’s overwhelm him with appreciation and support for this act of selflessness he is undertaking.
One of my favorite memories of my brother Steve is from Florida. Steve, Dave and I were sleeping in separate beds in the same room in a rented house in Florida. It was raining and the window was open. In the middle of the night, I felt an animal walking on my legs. I woke up Dave quietly and he woke up Steve. The cat, as we figured out it was, had walked to the edge of the window sill and was sitting by the open window. I told my brothers very quietly, “Watch this.” I then proceeded to sneak up behind the cat and then yelled, “Arrrgh!” loudly behind it. It was so scared it jumped straight into the window and broke through it. There was a crash of broken glass then a few moments of silence. Dave broke the silence with a very frank, “Good one.” We rolled over and went back to sleep. Five minutes later, Steve sat straight up in bed and said, “Hey guys, what just happened?” It was hilarious. He watched the whole thing, but was really asleep. Then he tried to lay there and put the pieces together in his head of what he had just witnessed. This was actually common when he was younger. He’d do all sorts of stuff in his sleep, including regular singing of the Batman theme and…going to the bathroom in non-designated areas.
I also think of Steve as a thoughtful, funny person who is always a joy to be around. I love how his creative mind works and the energy he uses to make people feel good. When I was in my first youth pastor position, he was in my ministry and helped make that ministry successful with his leadership, creativity and responsibility. He also acted as my wing man and helped me work to grow the ministry. I really could not have done that job without his regular input. He does not know it, but I was so relieved to have in in the ministry for my first run at things.
Who’s next? What do you love about my brother? What memories do you have of him?
Well, the winter I lived with Doug and Grace, I drove Steve to work sometimes. One time, Steve and I drove all the way there with the emergency brake on! The car was bouncing down the street and I couldn’t figure out why. When we were almost to Wal-Mart, I saw the emergency brake light. I asked Steve not to tell Dave (it was Dave’s car) and Steve said OK and neversaid a word. I appreciated that! (I told Dave later.)
What I most admire about Steve is his loyalty. He is one of the most loyal people I have ever met.
Hi, Coddingtons! God bless you Steve for what you’re doing!
In our former house in Oneonta, there was a cardboard replica of a farm scene hanging on the wall at the top of the stairs. It came with the house. I don’t remember who started it, it may have been me, but one day there was added a drawing of some cow plop coming from one of the cows. As someone else saw that there was another added figure, someone hanging from a tree. Then a shark fin showed up coming out of the pond. Soon a Russian Mig jet was dropping bombs on the barn. It became a fun thing to do when no one was around to see what had been added in secret.
One day Grace saw the picture and was quite upset at the ruined cardboard replica and very loudly asked, “who did it?” Now Steve had not added anything at this point and I’m not sure why. I think he was still in grade school or perhaps in Jr. High, but he took credit for the whole thing and the rest of us just stood there in disbelief that he would risk being grounded for something he didn’t do. Perhaps the rest of the family can clear up any mistakes in my memory of this event. By the way, when we moved, I took that replica with us and sometime, when all of us are together, I plan on having the grandchildren add to it, also. It is a great memory!
Steve, also, had a Ringed-neck Dove for a pet as did the other siblings only Steve let his out of its cage most of the time. He would fall asleep with the dove sleeping right next to his head on his pillow, and, yes, there was evidence in the morning that the dove had slept there as it left little presents on the pillowcase which didn’t deter Steve one bit.
I have watched Steve in action in youth ministry and the kids really relate to him because they know how much he cares about them and their spiritual growth. Steve has a really tender heart towards God and the things God has made. He strives to serve the Lord with gladness and represent Him in the best ways to his youth, their parents and those in the community. We are truly blessed to have Steve as part of our family.
I don’t have any ONE special memory, however, I can tell you that Stephan is probably the softest, most tender-hearted of all my children – not that you are not ALL tender-hearted – but I think we all agree Steve was the tenderest – esp. when it came to any living creatures – birds, dogs, guinea pigs, etc..
Steve did give us a “run for the money” or whatever that expression is (do we all remember Marcia Palmer’s race to catch Steve as he ran up the street – – – ? or some of Steve and Eli’s escapades in the neighborhood??). When he was older, I asked him why he did all the things he did. His response was that he didn’t know why – other than he got away with things more often than he got caught – – – go figure. By the way – – he may have been “irrepressible and boisterous” as a child but there was NOT a mean or disrespectful bone in his body!! (I want the record to be clear on that!!) I do think, however, that his childhood made him much more understanding and tolerant of kids – making him an outstanding leader of teens.
Along the same thought – – Steve was a much sought after baby-sitter – I think because he would get down on the floor and play with his charges. Younger kids LOVED Steve – – making me often think he would have loved a younger sibling – – sorry we didn’t cooperate – – –
Stephan has been a wonderful son all his life and I am thrilled to see him blossom as a father to Nathan. He has always made me proud and continues to do so today – – – his willingness to give a kidney comes as no surprise – it is part of his giving nature. Steve has never asked for things for himself (hence, no complaints about hand-me-down clothes!!) and did a great job being the youngest in the family – – not easy to do in a group with such strong personalities.
Your dad and I have watched you grow, Steve. And – there cannot be any prouder parents on earth than us. You have grown (and are growing) into a true man of God (our only prayer for all our children) and we are all blessed by your life. We have watched as God has taken that tender heart and turned it towards Him – observing you seek His will as you make decisions and life choices that honor Him! God has blessed you, also, with a Godly wife who is supporting you in this endeavor and trusting Him for his care in all things.
We LOVE you and are expecting God to bless you always in ways we cannot imagine!
And – Wes – – you will do well if you inherit Steve’s fashion sense and any other traits that come with his kidney!!
There are so many good things that I remember about Steve, but 2 stand out in my mind always. Our birthdays were the 9th & 10th. Each year I would take Steve out to lunch. He seemed to enjoy that. When he was about 15 or 16 we went out for lunch & he said, “Grandma, I’m buying this time”. I wasn’t going to let him, but then realized this meant a lot to him, so I said, “OK and thanks”. Another time that is very special to me was when his Grandpa was in the hospital & near death. The family took me to the Ponderosa for dinner. We were talking, etc. and all of a sudden I broke out into tears. Now Steve was at the other end of the table. He got up & came to my side, put his arm around me and comforted me. It was then I knew that Steve was & is a very caring young man. God has given me a wonderful family.
As Wes’s sister-in-law I just want to say THANK YOU! What you are doing shows the love you have for Wes and your family. It’s been too long since I last saw you and Sarah. Hope to see you both real soon and meet Nathan!
Yo, Wes, you need to enable threaded comments so I can respond to NY Grandpa’s comment and claim responsibility for the Russian Mig. That was during the jet-drawing age when I put a jet in every picture I drew!
I have many memories of Steve and the fun, crazy, stupid and various events and experiences we shared growing up. But it is neither the events nor the shared experiences that I remember most about him. The overwhelming thing that stands out in my mind as I think about growing up with Steve is that he always wanted to be around me. It really didn’t matter what I was doing; he wanted to be right there with me. I didn’t always appreciate that about Steve, particularly during my teen years, but I have appreciated it for years since and still really appreciate it now.
I do not think it’s an exaggeration to say that Steve contributed to my strong sense of self-confidence simply because he did always want to be around me. Who wouldn’t feel confident about himself if the closest person he knew wanted to be around him so much?
Yes, my comment is really about me. But that’s who Steve is. Someone who lives for others.
I don’t recall meeting Steve the short time that I attended PCB. If he is anything like Wes, it would of been an honor to have met him. My God bless all of your families!!!
Well, our family arrived in Oneonta in 1996 in what is referred to as the “post-Coddington” era, but many legends and tales still reverberate in the streets of Oneonta. One word comes to mind when I hear the name Coddington and that is “legacy”…and Steve, your gift to your brother just underscores that sentiment! It is truly amazing how God can use an ordinary married couple to create a living legacy and how He can multiply His love and blessings to so many people. Peripherally, I am one of those people and for that I thank you!! Wes & Steve – we pray for continued healing in both of your bodies…and that God’s work in your lives continues to touch many more folks!!
As Wes’s sister-in-law I just want to say THANK YOU! What you are doing shows the love you have for Wes and your family. It’s been too long since I last saw you and Sarah. Hope to see you both real soon and meet Nathan!