American Mothers, Inc.

Mary Bethune, an advisor to Franklin Delano Roosevelt, wisely said, “Invest in the human soul. Who knows, it might be a diamond in the rough.”  I believe, in fact, that each soul enters this world a diamond in the rough with facets being cut by the many experiences, often difficult, that life holds for us.  As any jeweler will tell you, the more multi-faceted a diamond is, the more light it reflects and the more brilliantly it shines.

Several years ago I had a facet cut deeply into my life.   I received a request from a Salvation Army Hospital in East Los Angeles to play the harp at a Mothers Day luncheon.  As I listened to the name and address of the hospital, I recognized it as the same hospital that was listed on my own birth certificate.  This was where I had been born.

I transported my harp through dim hallways with bars on every window - and I couldn’t help but think that I was retracing steps taken almost 50 years ago - by my birth mother.

I had the opportunity to chat with the young mothers-to-be about different aspects of their lives.  One of the girls approached me and with downcast eyes said, “ I am twice as unlucky – I am having twins”. 

I looked at her and said, “Chin up…do you want to know a secret?…I was born here.. and being a mother is the most important thing you will ever do.  I will be forever grateful for a mother just like you.”

I have worked with many inner city children since then, and have thought of that experience many times through the years...It was that moment that I truly realized just how much I had been given.  I have been blessed to have the facet of motherhood polished in me through many mothers in my lifetime.  Some I have no memory of, but I hold a place for them in my heart.

The facet of courage and valuing life I received from a young birth mother.

The facet of unselfish service and kindness I received from a foster mother who cared for me as a young baby.

The facet of security, love and the importance of family I received from a wonderful mother who adopted me and opened her heart and home to me.

The facet of lifelong motherhood I received from a beloved grandmother.

I don’t know what happened to that young unwed mother I visited with years ago, or to inner city children that I have worked with, but what I do know is that they didn’t dream about these kinds of outcomes for their lives.  I also know that real solutions to these problems are not in government program , but are found on a very personal level.  People like you and me reaching out.  That is where hope for the future is, in the tremendous power of one mother who cares.

Thankfully, there is a master Jeweler at work in our lives.  He oversees each facet and critical angle he carefully and lovingly refines us with.

In the words of the Scottish historian, Thomas Carlyle,

“Adversity is the diamond dust Heaven polishes its jewels with.”

May our faceted jewels begin at home and extend out into our community – making this nation shine.

Dianne Callister of California was born in a Salvation Army hospital and spent a brief time in foster care, before being adopted.  Dianne has been married twenty-five years to her husband, Steve.  Together, they have raised four children, and just recently welcomed the addition of their first grandchild.  Dianne has served on multiple PTA boards, founded White Wings and Silver Strings non-profit organizations, and created a program called Project GIVE, which educates and funds student-driven service for middle-school students nationwide.  She currently serves as President and Executive Director of The Singer Foundation, which directs funding to programs impacting children internationally. Dianne is the 2010 National Mother of the Year ®.