Currency of the Heart One hundred years from now, it will not matter what my bank account was, how big my house was, or what kind of car I drove. But the world may be a little better, because I was important in the life of a child.

Forest Witcraft

As a volunteer at the Sisters of Charity Children's Hospital in Haiti, I expected to work. When I arrived, a nurse handed me a baby and said, "Please sit down and hold her." The child appeared comatose, her eyes closed, her body rigid, her fists clenched, and her toes tightly curled. She made no sounds, was hardly breathing and didn't react to any noise or movement in the room. The other children cried, laughed, shrieked, drummed and danced around but she never even flinched.

When I thought she was asleep. I asked if I should put her back into her crib. The nurse replied, “No, please continue to hold her.” My fingers drifted lightly across her legs, chest, arms and face for three hours. She seemed to sleep.

Suddenly, the fingers on one hand began to uncurl, very slowly with almost imperceptible movement. Eventually her hand opened. Surprised. Astounded. I thought something momentous had happened; yet the child simply had opened her hand.

I continued to hold her and float my fingers over her thin arms and legs. Her other hand began to open, finger by finger. I held my breath, not wanting to disturb this process. Her arms went limp. Her back softened. I cried as I watched this tiny little girl move in slow motion. Her body tension dissipated. She relaxed in my arms and looked up at me.

The nurse told me she was one and a half. Severe inner tension and malnutrition had stunted her growth.  Everyday a volunteer was asked to hold her, it usually took about three hours for the child to relax. 

What a gift to me to be given that job on that day.

Rosemary Williams

Sisters of Charity in Haiti - YouTube

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy286GEbw40

May 17, 2009 - Uploaded by ncochrane3

Mother Theresa's Children's Hospital, Haiti 2011 - Duration: 2:59. Brigid123456 1,472 views · 2:59 ...

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Rosemary Williams launched Currency of the Heart to inspire readers to “pay it forward” from the heart’s most precious currency. We’d love to hear from you! To share your story or to request permission to republish this blog post, please email rosemary@womensperspective.org.