Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Rise and Shout the Cougars are Out!!! :-)


All is right in the world once again and the Cougars of Brigham Young have come through in the biggest way possible for our little Charlie and his family, well mostly his dad. This evening we had a surprise visit from “THE COACH!” Bronco Mendenhall came up to the hospital to see us. Angel knew all about it and lied to my face telling me that we were having a conference w/ some of the Doc’s so we needed to be here together to meet w/ them. Time for the conference came and it was no doc that walked in the door of Charlie’s room but Coach Mendenhall, David Nixon (LB) and Andrew Rich (S). In hindsight Bronco could be a doc after watching him surgically dismantle the Mountain West for the last 2 years. Somehow they found out about Charlie and decided to make the trip into enemy territory to pay us a visit on their one day off from practice. Just to quickly sum up my astonishment/amazement, if you were to take Bosco beating Michigan, Miami wishing they never came to Provo, Beck to Harline, 4th and 18, utilizing the facilities next to Lavell, and blocking UCLA field goals and lump them all together you might be close to how I felt while we visited w/ the Coach and Crew.

What a truly genuine and personable man Coach Mendenhall is, so compassionate as he got to know us and Charlie. He had true empathy and concern for our situation, he cared. While we talked I had so many football questions that were going through my head that normally I would be dying to ask him but you could tell that his visit today wasn’t about opponents or depth charts it was about being there for a sick little boy and his family when they needed it. He made a comment about how sometimes we get caught up in wins and losses but in reality that stuff is secondary to things like this, things that make a real impact. He said that is what is truly rewarding. The high point of the visit for me was when he was handing out some Cougar wristbands to those of us in the room and when he got to me he took the one off his wrist and said that “this one made it through all of last season and hopefully it will help you make it through this.” I lost it a little, not gonna lie. It was great and Nixon and Rich are total studs for joining him on the trip and I think they might have even made a little bit of a Cougar fan out of my Ute wife.
I found out who arranged this and they have asked to remain nameless but in talking to them afterward they said that all they did was start the ball rolling and “The rest was all Bronco.” Nevertheless, thank you - thank you - thank you!!! And Coach, David and Andrew thank you, this means so much to us and maybe now Angel won’t get so mad at me for telling Britton that “ute” is a bad word and that “Rise and Shout” is the best song ever. What a day! The Coach was here!

Britton with no idea how big this is!

Charlie's new wristband and gear!

Coach sett'in up the boys w/ wristbands.

Cheryl Dee on Cloud 9!

24 comments:

Kelly said...

Rob! How cool is that!?! I bet you were on Cloud 1,000,000. This way surpassed Cloud 9. That Coach is so neat, special, amazing! That this man and a couple of his guys took time out of their busy lives to visit a very special baby is way beyond the capacity of my brain power. I am still a Ute fan, but the Cougars are working their way into my heart.

Go Cougs!

Anonymous said...

I am so impressed. your family continues to inspire me with your strength and courage. Charlie looks great can see so much improvement in his posturing and the way he is resting. Many prayers continue to come from massachusetts. Keep up the good work little guy!

Anonymous said...

Rob/Ang,

I am amazaed at how many lives Charlie has touched. So many that have never met you or the family. Charlie is such a sweet little boy with such a sweet spirit. I wish he could tell us what he knows. I will try and get up in the next few days, I haven't been there because I have had the junk!!
You are in our prayers and we love you guyes.


Deirdre

Anonymous said...

Wow you guys! That is just such an amazing story. The wrist band part got me to tears. You guys are just so wonderful. I don't really know what else to say!

Anonymous said...

BRONCO FREAKING MENDENHALL! How cool is that. Rob, you officially have a story that you will tell your grandkids so many times they will grow tired of it and think you senile. GO COUGARS

Katie Jo said...

Okay, so I'm sitting here bawling and now have to go reapply make-up. I heard this story last night, but to read it and know the power that concern and love play in all out lives, really hits home. Go Cougs. I will now have to cheer for them!!
Jolene

Anonymous said...

I am sitting her crying! What a neat story. You all look SOOO happy in the pictures! Cheryl must be flying high! What a neat thing for these men to do. I am a Ute fan, but I must admit those Cougars are something special! This should keep you going for a while. My love and prayers continue to be with all of you!
Connie

Nana Sue said...

Wahoo! what a terrific surprise! You two are awesome, not to mention that darling Brit and the Coop! It is so good to be able to follow his progress! Thanks for sending the darling photo thank you card! Continued prayers are flying your way daily! Love and hugs to you all!!

Anonymous said...

Wow! Thanks for sharing that story! It honestly was inspiring. Keep fighing guys, you are so strong. I love Charlies new do as well!

Ginny said...

WOW!! I am not even sure what to say, except ditto on the make-up thing. I bleed blue, and as I sit here in my "fully invested" gear for the big game today (GO COUGS!!) I am reminded as to some of the reason I love that place. But, THE COACH!?!? How cool is that! And the wristband thing got me big time!! You guys are amazing and so are those Cougs! I was impressed with the way the Utes came through and I am glad to see the Cougs didn't disappoint!! Have a great day riding the high from yesterday!

Marilee said...

Wow Rob, totally cool. Loved all the pics, especially the one of Cheryl. I think she has a new crush. I remember her saying how nervous Gammy would get during BYU games because winning proved the Church was true. (if I'm remembering wrong correct me) Now, I'm not so sure a football team proves anything about the Church, but they showed yesterday that they have the true spirit of the Church. After reading the post this morning I DID Rise and Shout--not a pretty sight. I will be watching the BB team's progress in the NCAA tournament with the knowledge that the Y is a special school. Proud to be an alum!
I also loved the wristband story. Truly tear producing.

Anonymous said...

It is always great to get a visit from the home team. I bet Rob was way way out there on Cloud infinity! Being the daughter of a former HS school coach even here in Montana,the home team can help the rally. Charlie and Britty look great. Praying foryou in Montana Shyla

Meghan said...

awesome. thanks for letting ty be in on that experience with you guys. last night when i was getting ready for bed and he was almost alseep i said - "you still thinking about it" he said "little bit" and smiled. he loved every minute of it. thanks ang.
love the pic of coop with the bracelet... btw i stole some pics for our blog...

Anonymous said...

What neat people those Cougs are! :) It is so nice to see how people pull together to lift and support one another. Even though you didn't know Bronco and the others personally, what you witnessed was the type of organic unity that Paul talks about in Corinthians: Corinthians 12:12-14:

“For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many.”

Thank you for sharing this story, I'm proud to be a Cougar fan too, and am proud to know that men like that CARE about people, and came up to lift your spirits and make you smile. That's what it's all about. Charlie looks so peaceful...give hims hugs from all of us who are praying for his recovery and progress!!!

Anonymous said...

sorry...I meant to paste this scripture after the first, but forgot: In verses 25-26 he says: “That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.” What a great day for you all!!!!!

whit said...

Rob, now I truly have a testimony of the Bronco Mendenhall Cougs. I can only imagine that your heart is still beating hard after that. That is really cool. I bet your mom was so excited. I won't even bother to remind you that the utes came up before that and probably missed practice to do it because that would take away from all the excitement.
I hope the Y wins today - they had a great season (no, I am not being sarcastic!).

Roxey said...

Congratulations Rob! you totally deserve it. When Angel told me about the wristband, I cried too. That is so awesome! Hope you all have a great day with some "Charlie Steps."
Love and prayers

Anonymous said...

I'm not sure why but all of us need a hero to cheer for and an underdog to root for. Bronco and Charlie fit these definitions perfectly. Thankyou for sharing with all of us Charlie's story so we can root for Coop and thankyou Bronco for giving us a hero to cheer for.

Anonymous said...

I want you to know I am very addicted to this blog. A concerned provider of charlies' showed it to me. I haven't missed a day yet. I guess what got to me, was seeing charlie in his PJ's. I have a little guy 2-weeks younger with those same PJ's and I can't help to think what if this were me. You deserve all the support you can get. Coach got me crying! What a amazing man. And I will defently be ruiting for Bronco and Charlie this year! You will be in my prayers.

Anonymous said...

I am a grown man and I have tears in my eyes at work. I don't know you all but I have followed Charlie's blog daily since day 1. You guys are an inspiration and Bronco is the man. Thanks for sharing your lives with us.

Anonymous said...

I am one of the people who don't know you but I came upon this blog a few weeks ago, and I check up on Charlie everyday now. I still don't have any idea how I came upon it. We have a son Charlie's age and I find myself so drawn to your sweet little one. I am always thinking of him and praying for him. Oh, and we are major BYU fans as well. What a neat experience for you...gotta love Bronco! Go Cougs and go Charlie Cooper.

Gina said...

Hey, this is Gina (Roxey's pregnant sister-in-law)...what a great day for you guys! My husband, Anthony, was really jealous you met with Bronco. :) We were both excited for you guys! Thanks for letting me come and visit that one Sunday, it was a honor meeting Little Charlie.

Trish and John said...

Wow, we all have experienced and witnessed such grace many, many times throughout this ordeal. This gift of genuine caring is yet another example of true grace. And yes, mom must have been walking on air the rest of the day. :-)

Anonymous said...

thats really cool that the couch was so kind and nice and really cared about charlie. love you guys i hope you have a great day