Hi!

I'm so happy to receive your letter. I thank you so much for thinking about someone in the end of the earth, in the other hemisphere.

You don't know how many things happened this month. Overall, a lot of opportunities of service. My first housecall, if I can call it that, was so special. A friend of mine who has two daughters and a son, was working out of her home, selling bread house to house with another woman who needs to work to have some money. They go out in the morning and leave the children alone at home.

So, I had the chance to stay with them one day, to prove to myself I can understand children and enjoy a good time. It wasn't too prepared. I just went to the house with the idea of enjoying the moments I stayed with the children. And it was great. First the children were watching the TV, but after the cartoons they began to be bored, so there, I had my opportunity to do something. The girls brushed my hair and we put on makeup. It was so funny. We looked like clowns! And after that we made braids in the younger girl's head til it was full of them. We enjoyed it really. When I said goodbye, they didn't want me to go. It was really great.

Now, I have a special love for children and I can make them smile.

That's what has a special value. It's the most precious thing you can have that proves you did it right! It's a treasure. I'm so happy because of that. Afterwards, I'm looking for another chance to do it again.

From the time I saw the "Patch Adams" movie, I knew that you can enjoy life and make it better by helping. Before, there was an empty space in my life. It was like a ray of light on my heart that told me what to do and how to do it: help people, laughing and enjoying it. I understood everything you can do smiling at someone unknown on the street, saying hello, staying with a lonely person, talking with someone who hasn't anyone to talk to.

All this has helped me a lot. With my partners at the University I make jokes, we laugh, and our conclusion is: why are there a lot of serious doctors if there are a lot of funny words in the medical terminology? Why can't they laugh every time they listen to a funny and complicated word? I will remember this, and I will laugh. Every time I listen to the words they make me laugh.

I thank God for the change that was made in my heart, and because there are people who change their own hearts to change the world around them. Tell Patch Adams "thank you" from me, because he was a very important influence when I was looking for my own self. This is a moment when I say that. It doesn't matter about the movie and all the funny situations that made all people laugh. What really matters for me is what it teaches; what you can learn of it.

You see, when I begin to talk about it, I can't stop.

A lot of kisses to all of you at Gesundheit!
(an Argentinean student of midwifery)