Elizabeth Edwards: 10 months later, the undisputed winner

[Gloria]

http://www.newsobserver.com/opinion/columns/story/943618.html

Steven Petrow
CHAPEL HILL - Last spring when John Edwards' campaign was in high spirits and high gear, and our flowering cherry trees were in full bloom, Elizabeth Edwards revealed the sad news that her cancer had returned; even worse, it was seemingly incurable. At the time, John Edwards said: "You can go cower in the corner and hide, or you can be tough and go out there. The campaign goes on."

Still, the resulting debate over whether the former senator should have halted his campaign for the White House because of his wife's illness was pervasive and intense. Many of those who urged Elizabeth Edwards to live her life as she wanted were among the 10 million cancer survivors (like me) in this country who understand what its means to let this disease metastasize beyond its cellular hold, resulting in a life, interrupted.

SNIP

In the end, Elizabeth Edwards' illness had nothing to do with the conclusion of this chapter of John Edwards' political life. She knew best and, if possible, I think her wisdom and self-awareness are but two more of her saving graces.

A year later after the Edwardses announced the return of her cancer, just as the cherry trees wait to bloom for another season, we also know the answer to the question of what motivated both John and Elizabeth Edwards to continue their campaign: Theirs is a joint profile in courage.

(Steven Petrow is the founding editorial director of EverydayHealth.com and lives in Chapel Hill.)

[LiveLiberally]

1. K&R -- with my best wishes to both.....

[Beaverhausen]

2. How I wish she could have been our first lady

:cry:

[demmiblue]

3. "Theirs is a joint profile in courage."

Indeed! Best wishes to them both.

[Yael]

4. Much love for Elizabeth

[Kurovski]

5. K&R.

Love that lady.

I'd be so very pleased if John Edwards were to be our vice-president.

[tavalon]

6. The only bright spot in the end of their campaign, IMO,

is that that family will have the undivided attention and support of one another in the coming year or hopefully, years. Birth and death are two of the most significant events in everyone's lives and they deserve to give this time their full attention. That they were willing to suspend that attention for the good of the country shows how incredibly giving these people are but I'm glad they will be able to give more to one another right now.

[SalmonChantedEvening]

7. John and Elizabeth

This is what love looks like.

:D

[waiting for hope]

15. Here you go:

I love this picture:

[midnight]

27. Me too. I wish that John were still in this race... I feel for some

reason he is. I feel his message is now creeping into speaches and conversations, and becoming heard. What an amazing voice John and Elizabeth and their children give this country. It is about looking after eachother.

[waiting for hope]

29. They to me are true liberals -

and Democrats, in every sense of the word. I just wish the other two would be serious about adapting John's platform, and it's this country's lose that John wasn't ahead promoting his own agenda, and not having to use surrogates to do it.

[balantz]

8. To Elizabeth, a thank you!

For excelling beyond the boundaries of personal limitation for the greater good.

For being both noble and humble.

For representing your gender with true grace.

For illuminating your fellow country-kin with fearless determination, perserverence, wit and charm.

And for your kindness,

and your wisdom,

I salute you good friend

:patriot:

[elizfeelinggreat]

10. well said

I think she is amazing.

[tpsbmam]

9. Thanks for posting this special piece! K&R n/t

[UpInArms]

11. best wishes to the Edwards - both Elizabeth and John - I miss them

[poppysgal]

24. I do as well

Still holding the hope that all is not over-yet.

[Olney Blue]

12. Elizabeth Edwards is my hero.

[Lugnut]

13. Happy to K&R

Elizabeth Edwards is a remarkable woman.

[Inspired]

14. K&R for Elizabeth Edwards!

[ChiciB1]

16. I'm Still Missing The ALL!! America Really Blew It, Didn't they???

Unfortunately, because of what went down, there will be many many Democrats who will NEVER be the same!

Good Luck Elizabeth to you and ALL of your family! And John Edwards, we miss ya STILL!!

[saracat]

23. America definitely blew it. We could have had the real thing.

We prove once again we are the dumbasses the rest of the world thinks we are!

[pamela]

17. Good article about a great lady.

Thanks for posting this.

[TalkAgain]

18. Praise Jesus....

[karmaqueen]

19. I love the Edwards family.

I hope they have a long and beautiful life together. Thanks for posting this.

[sonias]

20. Elizabeth Edwards is a wonderful woman

She is a survivor and an inspiration. I wish her and the Edwards family all the best.

:hug:

Sonia

[kaygore]

21. Elizabeth Edwards is a true hero.

She is an inspiration. I believe in miracles and if anyone deserves a miracle it is Elizabeth and the Edwards family.

I keep her in my prayers. God bless her!

[vanboggie]

22. Class and grace

I miss the Edwards family and wish them well. Elizabeth has such class and grace and would have been the perfect First Lady. Damn, I wish people hadn't been so dumb. John Edwards would have been an awesome President.

Best wishes to both of them, and to Cate, Jack and Emma Claire. They demonstrate family values while the Rethugs think it's something you can legislate.

[Greylyn58]

25. America so missed the chance

of having a wonderful President and a magnificent First Lady in the White House.

I admire Elizabeth in so many ways. She is a wonderful woman and a great partner for John.
I miss both of them.

[shireen]

26. A BEAUTIFUL human being

She is one of the most inspiring people in this country. You just can't help but love her.

[earth mom]

28. Elizabeth Edwards is such a classy and beautiful person both inside and out.

Best wishes to Elizabeth! :hug:

[Bozita]

30. I feel honored to give this thread its 50th "Recommend"

[jjr5]

31. K&R

[MissDeeds]

32. Inspiring article

The US missed a great chance to have these two wonderful people in the White House. I'm sure it is a choice that will be deeply regretted in the months and years to come.

[balantz]

33. A kick

For my heroine, Elizabeth Edwards.

And a hug :pals:

[peacock]

34. Elizabeth Edwards will always be my

first lady.

The nation missed out when they passed up John and Elizabeth.

Thank you for bring us this article.

[Orsino]

38. Whatever I think of the various candidates...

...I believe that Elizabeth might have made the greatest First Spouse ever.

About the purtiest, too:

[balantz]

35. Elizabeth Edwards for president 2012!!!

[Mad_Dem_X]

36. They are beautiful people

Elizabeth seems to be a warm and caring woman. And John would have made a fantastic president.

[The Wizard]

37. What could have been

and what is are at opposite ends of the spectrum. Elizabeth Edwards inspires me whenever I hear her name or see her picture. Long live Elizabeth Edwards.

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

39. There are few people you meet in your life and KNOW are authentic.

I met Elizabeth and she is pure of heart. So is John.

I agree that they are BOTH a "profile in courage".