She was sanguine in every way. Her gait had a certain bounce that was unique in that part of the world, and she had the most infectious smile. She spoke very little English; yet her presence and expression communicated more than words. This young girl was named Nosipho, or ‘gift’ in English – and she was certainly a gift to me. Last summer, I embarked on a medical mission in Nosipho’s native country, Swaziland. Over the two weeks I spent...

Magic amazes me. Ever since I saw my first magic show as a young child I have been eager to unlock the secrets that magicians hold. As I became older, I began to teach myself sleight of hand – the building blocks of illusion. Basic moves became advanced techniques, and those techniques required weeks to master. Yet there is no magic in a single sleight. Magic is a puzzle – a combination of moves to manipulate a deck of cards – that when...