At the clinic gate, a 7-year-old collapsed, crying, “Mommy has been sleeping for three days, please save them.” The doctor rushed to help the newborn twins, but as he lifted them, his hands shook. Underneath the babies was a handwritten note from the mother that made the doctor freeze in terror…

stumbled forward, and grabbed the fabric of her sleeve. I pulled with the last ounce of strength in my fingers.

Nurse Gertrude Malik had the hardened, weary eyes of a woman who had seen the worst of humanity’s accidents. She turned to me, ready to scold a wandering child. But the reprimand died on her lips the moment she looked into my eyes, and then continue reading …