Elizabeth Edwards' Comments about the Great Online Community

[benny05]

I have been here for nearly two years, and the DUL is my favorite group to hang out with.

I want to place some stuff in front of you said by Elizabeth Edwards, related to online communities she appreciated:

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - A community of strangers brought together by common tragedies helped Elizabeth Edwards through some of the darkest days in her life.

The wife of former North Carolina senator and vice presidential candidate John Edwards spoke Monday about the support she found on the Internet while coping with the death of her 16-year-old son and her recent bout with breast cancer.

"That community was enormously important to me," Edwards told about 100 people Monday while discussing her new memoir at her alma mater, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law.

"It meant that if I couldn't sleep at 3 a.m., there was someone at a keyboard somewhere else in the world that also couldn't sleep. And they were there for me," she said.

John Edwards joined his wife later Monday during a similar event at a Raleigh book store, surprising about 300 people who came to hear Elizabeth Edwards talk about her book, "Saving Graces: Finding Solace and Strength from Friends and Strangers," which she signed at both events.

During the earlier book signing, Edwards was surrounded by former students, roommates and colleagues. She praised her friends and family for their support but talked at length about the faceless individuals she met online who helped her grieve.

Many audience members said Edwards' outgoing candor underscored her genuine nature.

"She's just a very authentic person," said Daisy Thorp, 81, a Chapel Hill resident and fellow breast cancer survivor. "She's genuine - someone you want to know."

In her book, Edwards also wrote that she would corner strangers in restaurant bathrooms and ask them if she could talk about her late son, Wade, who was killed in a car accident in 1996.

She admits it was awkward. But it helped.

"I would always be certain to say, 'The time you have spent with me listening has been an unbelievable gift to me,'" Edwards told the crowd. "Not enough people ask for that gift. And others want to share it."

Edwards read a brief passage from her book, selecting a portion in which she recounts Election Day 2004 - the day her husband and running mate John Kerry were defeated by President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney.

It was only days earlier she had found a lump in her breast, and she was growing certain it was cancer.

After an emotional moment about a hair style, Edwards told a distressed Des Moines, Iowa, hairdresser something most people in her family still did not know.

"'I have breast cancer,'" Edwards quotes herself telling the hairdresser. "'And I'm afraid, because for all I know right now, it could be even worse.'"

The two shared a tearful embrace.

Her visit Monday was Edwards' first trip back to the law school though her community ties were apparent. She met Jack Doger, the law school dean chosen as the Wade Edwards Distinguished Professor of Law, an honor named after Edwards' late son.

"This is someone you want to get to know better," Doger said of Edwards.

I think Elizabeth is sincere. I wish I had a community like you to share my thoughts or feelings during bad times. I've had some, but I've seen more bad times than mine, thus, I'm likely to be more empathetic.

I just wanted to say I love the DUL and hope we continue our great community here.

[lizziegrace]

1. I feel the same way

:toast:

To continued support!

:)

[benny05]

4. Thanks, I love DUL

:hug:

[Ptah]

2. Caring people are everywhere.

"That community was enormously important to me," Edwards told about 100 people
Monday while discussing her new memoir at her alma mater, the University of
North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law.

"It meant that if I couldn't sleep at 3 a.m., there was someone at a
keyboard somewhere else in the world that also couldn't sleep. And they
were there for me," she said.

[Drum]

3. Thanks

and here's some back :hug:

[wildhorses]

5. I know exactly what she means by this....

"It meant that if I couldn't sleep at 3 a.m., there was someone at a keyboard somewhere else in the world that also couldn't sleep. And they were there for me," she said.


thanks everyone for being here...
and thanks benny05 for posting this!!:hug:


:toast:




eidted cos my keyboard is dyslexic:P

[benny05]

6. Can we spread the good message about the DUL

I think so, but we need to do it