The story of Nancy Hamilton

The long-awaited newborn Nancy lost her father in an auto accident a few months before she was born. In grief but with great anticipation, Marguerite looked forward to the child she would have to raise alone.

The baby came. Marguerite was eager to see her little girl but she had to wait for what seemed like weeks before Nancy was finally presented to the mother. The nurse nervously placed the blanketed child in the mother’s arms, said simply, "The doctor needs to talk to you," and made a hasty retreat. Marguerite carefully unwrapped the tiny body. She was not prepared for what she saw. Instead of a pair of healthy little feet, there were two large masses of flesh. Instead of two tiny hands, one hand had two enormous middle fingers, puffy and red. A deep-seated disease had engulfed the tiny body even before birth.

Nearly overcome with grief, Marguerite contemplated just shoving the body off the edge of the bed and letting it fall to a sudden death on the terrazzo floor. At that moment, Nancy opened her big blue eyes, totally disarming the mother; a mother’s love burst into full bloom. Mother decided that this child would receive the best medical treatment, no matter the cost. Nancy would have a wonderful life.

In the months and years ahead, Nancy was treated by one specialist after another. They probed, they tested, they charted, they began cutting off one diseased part after another. Nancy moved from one hospital to another; medical bills consumed the small salary Marguerite could earn between hospital stays. Nancy became a charity case; her body used for experimentation and research.

In spite of her medical needs, her pain, and the gradual diminishment of her physical body, Nancy developed a courageous and happy spirit. She loved parties, long dangling ear rings, long curls. She loved pets; she loved to go places to visit people of all ages and ranks. Even Hollywood personnel became involved in the life of this darling Nancy. People wondered how the little girl could always seem to be so happy. Nancy longed for the day when she could go dancing in a pair of red shoes.

Church and religion? Marguerite never seemed to have time and interest for the God of her life. But as a nine year old patient in a Sisters’ hospital, Nancy asked to be baptized. She made her first Communion and was confirmed. Seeing the deep faith of her daughter, Marguerite also found her way into the Church. A strong trust in God became the support of mother and daughter.

Friends and family made possible an extended visit to Lourdes. On many occasions Nancy was lifted carefully into the baths. One day Nancy abruptly announced that she was ready to go home to California. After Mother completed the packing and the two were on their way home, Marguerite asked Nancy why the sudden decision to go home. Nancy’s reply was, " I didn’t come here for a healing for myself. I always prayed that the many others who were seeking a healing would receive it. I was afraid that if I stayed another day, I would ask God to heal me. I want the decision to be entirely in God’s hands."

There was no bodily healing for Nancy at Lourdes. Her body continued to deteriorate. Ultimately, both legs had to be amputated.

At the age of 14, the brave little girl died quietly at her home in California. A white butterfly fluttered around the burial site and Marguerite knew that her little angel had gone HOME.