My mother, Dr. Vera Delaney, is a kidney doctor, or nephrologist; she inhabits a very different world than that of diplomats.

Of the many lessons my mom taught me, the most lasting is this: because we had good health, food to eat, and a roof over our heads, we had a responsibility to be thankful and to give back to our community, especially the poor, disabled and elderly. I don't remember her saying "to whom much is given...

I’ve always known there was something special about my mom. Maybe it’s because of her infectiously positive outlook on life, or the way she gives of herself no matter how full her plate, or how her laughter comes from the inside in a way I’ve never seen before.

My mom helped me understand that I should appreciate what I have, while I have it. Some of that's really small stuff. My earliest memory is being washed in the kitchen sink, and then, my disappointment when we had to move that to the bath. Later, well, I loved having pajamas with the feet in them,...