A new friend

Disclaimer: I’m scatterbrained at the moment and I know I wanted to add a lot more, but I wanted to get this post up so Amy could see the pictures.

A few months ago I was browsing around on Facebook and I came across a picture of a sweet looking boy on a friend’s page. That sweet young boy was seven year old Nic. Nic had a brain tumor and was only given approximately 9 months to live. My understanding is that Nic had made a bucket list, a list of things he wanted to do before he left this earth. One of those things was to shoot a gun. My friends, Matt and Matt (and some others), got him all set up and took him to the shooting range. The picture I saw was Nic after he had fulfilled his wish. After seeing the picture I thought it was really cool for my friends to help make someones wish come true.

I am still struggling with the unexpected deaths of my mom and cousin, so I didn’t want to get too emotionally attached to a young boy that was dying. I closed out of Facebook and thought that would be the last I ever see or hear of this heartbreaking situation. Boy, did God ever have different plans for me! As much as I wanted to ignore my feelings and as much as I wanted to believe that it would just be easier for me to “forget” about this boy I am SOOOO glad that I listened when God spoke to me. I felt the sudden urge to get back online and read Nic’s caring bridge site. I think I read every single entry that night, sobbing away at my desk. I felt so connected to this mom who was writing about her struggles, her fears, her new faith, and the possibility of losing her son. I wanted to reach through my computer and just hug this lady!

Days went by and I could not get sweet Nic out of my head. I knew I had to do something…anything! I haven’t even met the kid and he is already affecting the way I live and the new way that I think about things. His story put everything into prospective for me.

I knew I wanted to do something really special for this family. Something that they would remember for a long time to come. I’m sort of good at taking pictures, so I thought to offer the whole family a complimentary photo session. I contacted Amy (the mom) and she was on board with the idea, but we had to do it soon.

I called up my friend and fellow photographer, Kelly. I wanted her to help me capture these precious memories and to be my emotional support just in case. We spent about an hour with the family and let me tell you, they are the FUNNIEST family I have ever worked with! It was so hard to get all of the guys to look and smile at the same time, it was very clear that they just wanted to have fun. They had a lot of fun yelling out things like “BOOBIES” just to make Nic smile..and it worked! I even caught some of the boys striking a model pose. While I was photographing Nic with his mom and dad, the older boys were goofing around and doing crazy things. I was about to have a heart attack with what they were doing. Amy just shook her head and laughed, obviously she is used to the craziness!

I grew to love this family- who wouldn’t?

A couple weeks after the photo session Nic visited our church. He went to Sunday school and when it was over he didn’t want to leave! He was having too much fun coloring and wanted to finish his picture.

Another wish on Nic’s bucket list was to have one last party. Nic’s family and friends threw him a first grade graduation party. The kids and I went to his party and it was so much fun! We had all of the same goodies that you would find at a senior grad party and then some! The kids went swimming, played with other kids, took a few swings at a pinata, and we got to watch Nic open all of his presents. It meant a lot to me to be invited to such a special event and I am so glad that I was able to make it.

A few weeks go by and in the mean time I am constantly reading up on Nic and his new adventures.

Last weekend I was supposed to go to the lake house Friday evening. I had every intention of going, but for some reason I changed my mind at the very last minute.
Come Saturday I was frantically trying to pack for the lake and was about to head out the door. I decided to check my facebook one last time before I left (because you know, the whole one-hour drive without checking facebook is like torture for me!). I had a comment on my page from Amy, Nic’s mom. She was asking me if I could get her the disc of the pictures that I took. I was heading that direction anyways, so I stopped by her house to drop it off.

When I entered the house, I was flooded with the same emotions that I had with my mom. Nic was in a hospital bed in a dark living room with relatives close by. I knew that he wasn’t doing well, but I didn’t think it was to that extent. He was laying in his bed sleeping. He looked so peaceful. I walked over to him, gave him lots of kisses on his forehead and told him that he has changed my life more than he will ever know. He opened his eyes big and wide to look at me. I thought it was a coincidence, but after a nice hug from Amy I went to say goodbye one last time. I kissed him on the forehead again and again he opened his eyes at me!

I am just a girl who took pictures of him and he has seen me here and there, but when he opened his eyes for me that it made me feel really special. This boy meant a lot to me. I allowed myself to get hurt again when I was trying everything in my power to avoid it. Truth is, I think everyone needs to feel this kind of pain. It changes you completely… for the better. I can’t help but think that this world might be a more loving place if this was the case.

I attended Nic’s funeral today and although it was hard I know that he is no longer in pain. He is no longer restricted by this horrible disease we call cancer. After the ceremony everyone met at a relatives house. Nic had requested 1,000 balloons to be released and he got it! Pulling onto the street and looking into the yard seeing hundreds of balloons just for Nic made me feel so warm and fuzzy inside. It was one of the coolest things I have seen! I had the honor of snapping some pictures of the release for Amy and the family.

This family will forever be a part of me. Nic will always be on my heart. I love my job and I love the people that I meet and befriend because of it.

Nic, thank you for teaching me how to appreciate the small things, for reminding me to love my children even more than I thought was possible, and for your encouraging faith.

Rest in peace, sweet boy…until we meet again.