This is my favorite picture of Elizabeth!
Elizabeth Edwards passed away today. I feel so sad for her family and friends. Elizabeth was an exceptional person. I read her first book, “Saving Graces”, and felt like she was like an old friend. During the 2008 primary I was for John Edwards. Of course I didn’t know about the tragedy of a life he was living at that time. I just knew that his “Two Americas” was a powerful message. He was the only candidate that early on talked about poverty in America. Some people think this was largely because of Elizabeth. I do know that she had much to say on the health care debate. She knew how important it was to have good health care. She continually met people during the campaign that didn’t have health insurance and were suffering. My own sister died an early death because of the lack of health insurance, so Elizabeth’s illness and her bravery and the way she always soldiered on lived large for me. As far as the 2008 primary goes, we will probably never know everything about that election and what he or she knew at what time. Now it just doesn’t matter.
I didn’t read “Game Change” because I knew the authors trashed Elizabeth in that book and I didn’t care to read anything that treated her with such disrespect. I personally thought she had been through enough. I cannot imagine living your personal pain and suffering in public like she did. Some could say it was her choice but I just don’t believe it. Nobody is perfect and Elizabeth wasn’t even allowed a private time to really reflect on what was happening with her life. She was bombarded with constant tabloid press about her husband and truthfully I wish she would have been left alone.
Elizabeth still had the last laugh because she was able to die with dignity on her terms. Thankfully, we didn’t have to hear the blow by blow final days of her life. One day we were told she is gravely ill, the next she’s passed away. Shocking really, but so satisfying to know that she didn’t have to deal with the constant attention from the grueling, obnoxious press.
I am thankful that Elizabeth was spared the shadow of the press prying into her most private last days. It is a tribute to her family and friends that they could keep this so private for her. I wish you well Elizabeth. You made an impact on this world and you will not be soon forgotten. Many of us watched you battle cancer and the survival of your marriage. I feel a profound sense of sadness at the loss of such a wonderful lady. I know her family will miss her but all of us that loved hearing her voice when she was campaigning for a just cause will also miss her common sense wisdom.
Ditto