As a gigging musician I am contracted to sing at a variety of events--and YES, that includes wedding receptions. On occasion, I work with a marvelous dance band that plays for concerts, banquets, corporate events and wedding receptions. Recently we were contracted to perform for a wedding reception that I will not forget.

The mother of the bride was gravely ill with 4th stage cancer. She was bed-ridden with this illness, but very determined to be at the wedding to celebrate with the happy couple. Her doctors were mixing up a "special" drug cocktail and she was focusing all her energies on being able to be present for her daughter's wedding.

A week before the wedding, the mother of the bride contacted our band leader and requested we learn a special song that we would perform/dedicate in honor of her daughter that day. As I began learning the song, I realized I would be delivering a beautiful message to the bride and everyone in attendance at the wedding. Some sentiments are hard to speak so I was honored to sing this Martina McBride song that day for that dear woman.

In My Daughter's Eyes - J. Slater
In my daughter's eyes I am a hero

I am strong and wise and I know no fear

But the truth is plain to see

She was sent to rescue me
I see who I wanna be

In my daughter's eyes

In my daughter's eyes everyone is equal

Darkness turns to light and the
 world is at peace

This miracle God gave to me
gives me
 strength when I am weak

I find reason to believe 
In my daughter's eyes


And when she wraps her hand
 around my finger

Oh it puts a smile in my heart

Everything becomes a little clearer

I realize what life is all about

It's hangin' on when your heart has had enough

It's giving more when you feel like giving up

I've seen the light 
It's in my daugter's eyes



In my daughter's eyes I can see the future

A reflection of who I am and what will be

Though she'll grow and someday leave

Maybe raise a family

When I'm gone I hope you see how happy
 she made me

For I'll be there 
In my daughter's eyes

When we performed the song, the bride sat next to her wheel-chair bound mother and a few tears flowed.

Paradoxically, the thing I will remember the most about this wedding was not the tears --but the JOY everyone expressed. Everyone danced and toasted and laughed and celebrated the JOY of new beginnings and the simple pleasures of merely being PRESENT. May we all choose to LIVE this way!

with JOY
Claudia Carawan

www.claudiacarawan.com
...positively soulful music and inspiration