KC "Buttarz" Nordick

KC Nordick, AKA--Buttarz, became a good friend of mine in 2009.  I went bowling with some friends occasionaly and got to know him because he worked there.  I lost touch with KC about a year after that time.  When I finally heard from him again, it was on facebook, in the early part of 2011.  He greeted me with a "Hey man!"  and I responded with just as much as excitement as my computer would allow.  We talked for a bit and then he asked me how I was doing and what I was doing in life.  i answered with the work, church and play comment.  I then asked him the same question.  His response--that he had colon cancer and was approaching the fatal stage 4 of his sickness.  I couldn't believe it, my heart dropped into my stomache.  I started spitting out questions, asking him how long it had been and how I never found out.  He was diagnosed in 2008.  The doctors did what they could and in the end thought they had got it out of his system.  But then a year later when he returned with an illness, the doctors then saw that the dreaded sickness had returned and done so with a vengance on him.  The cancer took a toll on him, emotionally, physcially, and mentally.  But he refused to quit, he refused to doubt, he refused to allow this cancer to bring him down.  He was so positive and happy about life.  I promised him I would pray for him, and he promised he would keep in touch with me on how he was doing.  A month or so went by, and I believe it was in February when I received a text message from KC asking if I would participate in giving him a blessing the following Sunday at his home.  I was honored and emotional in my response back to him of, "I would love to."  On that Sunday my good and life long friend Gavin Vanderbeek picked me up and we drove to the Nordicks home.  5 other men that were close to KC met up there.  His parents aren't active in the church but you could tell they felt something special that Sunday afternoon.  The blessing was to be a healing one and we all knew that it might be his last.  So he asked a close friend of his, to give the annointing and then I asked, "KC, who would you like to seal the annointing and give you the blessing?"  He shrugged his shoulders, and replied "Whoever you guys feel should do it."  We all kind of stood their looking around.  No one said a word, not even the parents. The silence lasted for about a minute when a gentleman from the corner pointed at me and a sharp looking guy next to me and said "I think one of you two should seal it."  We looked at each other and he nodded towards me to give the blessing.  To be honest, I was stunned.  I expected to go their and be apart of it, not actually give the blessing.  But there I was, after the annointing had taken place, surrounded by 6 other great friends to KC, and we laid our hands upon his head and I began to speak what it was Heavenly Father wanted me to say.  I have no idea what I said in that blessing.  But after we all gave KC a hug, I remember I told him I love him, and was going to be their for him through all this.  As we walked out the door I gave the mom a hug, shook the fathers hand and left wondering if I said the right things.  I spoke aloud that that concern as Gavin and I drove home.  I then answered that concern with, "When a worthy priesthood holder gives a blessing it's really Heavenly Father that is speaking."  I never worried about it after thatt moment.  On Tuesday, May 3, 2011 KC escaped the emotional and physical pain and returned to his loving Heavenly Father.  On Thursday I went to the viewing and my mind wrapped itself around that moment.  When I approached Mrs. Nordick, she recognized me and told me thanks for the blessing which I gave him.  I feel it a privilege to of been their, and to of been put on the spot at that moment to give that blessing with 6 other wonderful men.  I love that kid, and I know Heavenly Fathers love for him has been, is and always will be overflowing towards KC.  This post I write tonight on Thursday, May 5, 2011, is dedicated to a fighter, a courageous young warrior, and a positive ray of sunshine to all who met him, a son, a friend, to KC "Buttarz" Nordick.