Nancy

I would have to say that I’ve had a lot of people that I’ve looked up to in my life, including my parents, husband and my mother-in-law. But I would have to say that one of the people that touched my life the most was a woman named Nancy. She was a resident in the group home that I assisted in managing in Virginia. She was born with mild to moderate mental disabilities and lived the majority of her 60 years in some sort of institution.

She was a lady of very small stature but with such a big heart. Even though she had mental disabilities she was very confident and always wanted to look her best, and I tried to help keep her that way. After a year with Nancy she was diagnosed with colon cancer, and her little belly soon took over her tiny little structure. During the time of her diagnoses I had my own loss. My first son, Zackery was full term still born, suffering from a cord accident. It was a horrible time for both of us. My husband was sent to war shortly there after also so I felt totally alone.

As the weeks went by, Nancy rapidly got worse, often having accidents. Because of this and not feeling like anyone else would love her as much, I decided to spend the majority of my free time with her as well, making sure she was always clean and could always take pride in herself no matter how horrible the disease. Nancy and I spent many days and nights together talking and crying together. I never knew exactly how much she understood what I was feeling with my loss because of her disabilities but she always listened and let me cry if I needed to. She would simply pat my head and call me her baby.

Several months went by and she was hospitalized, she was in so much pain, it was unimaginable. But still she would want to talk, a very simple conversation of course, but none the less she always had something to say. Our last night together was a Tuesday, I sat and played her music box that played the song “Memories” because it was her favorite. She told me how when she got to heaven should would take care of my baby as I had taken care of her. Then told me “I love you baby, I’m OK.”

This lady suffered her whole life from her disability and in the end with a horrible painful death, yet all she was worried about was me. She was the most selfless individual I’ve ever met. I’ve often wondered why God would let someone be born with such disabilities, but I think it’s so the rest of us can see what true beauty really is. Nancy will always be my hero.

Submitted by Anonymous

True Beauty