PROFILE IN LOVE: Talented musician, best-selling author, adoption activist and Mom— Deanna Jones’ story is one you’ll never forget

Late one Saturday evening last Spring, my husband and I had already settled in for the night.  He was watching TV and I was aimlessly web-surfing, reading Facebook status updates, when one photo caught my attention.  There, smiling on my screen, was a photo of a beautiful blonde woman cuddling with several African-American children.  She was my FB friend, sure enough, but who was she and how had we met?

Curious, I read Deanna Jones’ profile for the first time.  I checked her websites—two of them—and I ordered her book.  I was hooked on this wonderful story!

By any measure, Deanna Jones is a successful woman.

• As a vocalist and bandleader, Deanna has been the highlighted performer at Presidential Inaugurals, Hollywood parties, and at thousands of society weddings, galas, and private and public events.  Deanna and her orchestra (the Deanna Jones Orchestra) performed at the weddings of Michael Douglas/Catherine Zeta Jones, Donald Trump/Marla Maples, and Kenneth Cole/Maria Cuomo.  She was the bandleader for events with Jimmy Buffet, Julie Andrews, John McEnroe, Bette Midler, Matt Lauer and many others.
• Deanna is an author.  Her book, To Be a Mother: Adopting God’s Heart, reached #1 on the Amazon best-seller list in its category.
• But most remarkably, Deanna Jones is an adoption advocate who has overcome personal struggles and has reached out in love to help HIV orphans around the world.  Her own family—including two children born naturally, three adopted from Ethiopia and one from Guatemala—is the locus of her life.

The story could go on.   To my amazement, I came to realize that our paths may have crossed once before.  When our children were small, we took them to Disney World– and through Deanna’s book I came to realize that she may very well have been the “Cinderella” who sang and danced in front of the castle on our trip.  But enough of that….

November 24, I just learned, has been declared Michigan Adoption Day.  Over 30 Michigan courts will participate in this event, and over 100 children will find new homes in Michigan tomorrow. Participating courts finalize adoptions, hold parties for adoptive families, and have other activities aimed at educating the public about the adoption process.

The need is great.  If you’ve EVER considered whether you might want to adopt, if you feel you can make room for one more, if you have an abundance of love to give a to child, let Deanna’s message encourage you to take the next step to inquire.

For more information: www.mothertheworld.org;  www.deannajones.com