Two years ago, a good friend of mine, the mother of six children, was diagnosed with advanced thyroid cancer. She went in for surgery and the doctor was forced to cut the nerve to one of her vocal chords in order to remove the cancer. Radiation treatments followed and she was left with the use of one vocal chord and unable to talk above a whisper.
Not being able to talk above a whisper would be annoying enough for anyone, but for my friend it was a devastating blow. She was an accomplished singer. Her life revolved around music and singing. Some of the most cherished memories her children and husband had were of her beautiful voice wafting through their home. Some of my own fondest memories of my friend Connie are of listening to her sing in church. Of special place in my heart were the duets she sang with her beautiful teenage daughter Brianne whom I taught at church and who used to baby-sit my children. Together they could move you to tears or as Connie would refer to inspiring moments, "give you goose-bumps."
Fortunately, Connie has done well over the last two years. She still has to go in for treatments and tests periodically to keep her cancer in check. But the greatest miracle and monument to her determination is that today, she can sing again. Through lessons and hard work and a lot of prayer, Connie can speak well above a whisper and, yes, she can sing! Of course her voice is not as strong as it once was, but the melodies are still as sweet.
Recently she went to a recording studio and recorded several of her favorite songs on a CD to give to family and friends. When she handed me my copy, I felt as if I were being handed a front row ticket to a miracle. That CD is a prized treasure that is a monument to Connie's faith and determination and a testimony to the fact that God is indeed still a God of miracles.
My favorite track on the CD is a sweet duet between Connie and her daughter Brianne who is now in college, My Mother, My Daughter by Janice Kapp Perry. The words are a melodious reminder of this faithful mother and daughter who are so dear to my heart and a tribute to all mothers and daughters who share and build on each other's faith. The following is a brief excerpt from the lyrics of My Mother, My Daughter:
Mother's part:
Sometimes when I see you, my daughter, my own
My heart fills with love seeing how you have grown.
Your hands once so small have remained clean and pure
Your heart filled with love helps my own soul endure.
The prayers that you speak give me faith to go on.
And the smile in your eyes gives me hope for the dawn,
Then I wonder why and give thanks that
I was chosen to be your mother.
Daughter's part:
I've watched you dear mother each day of my life.
I've seen how you smile through the joy and the strife.
I've needed your love and have known you were there.
I've seen how you help to bring answers to prayers.
The world that surrounds me is blind and unsure,
But with you as my mother, I'm safe and secure.
Then I wonder why, and give thanks that
I was chosen to be your daughter.
To listen to Connie and Brianne Holmes duet of My Mother, My Daughter Click here.
Marnie L. Pehrson is a wife, mother of 6, founder of SheLovesGod.com, and author of both inspirational Christian titles such as 
