Finding Common Cause

Elizabeth Edwards eloquences brings tears to my eyes. How unfortunate that tragedy is the only thing that brings us to reality. In facing death we see what life is really about. We chose instead to amuse ourselves with our partisan ranting instead of moving toward constructive dialog that results solutions.

Dr. Hamer, a German Doctor, has a cutting edge approach to cancer. You can find him at www.germannewmedicine.com

Dr. Hamer, a German doctor, who has a cutting edge approach to cancer, can be found at www.germannewmedicine.com

Mrs. Edwards, Thank you for your words of wisdom. We have to care for one another, that is the glue that's still holding this world together. Miracles happen everyday, don't give up on yours.

Dear Elizabeth,You are an inspiration to millions of us.We love you and may that love envelop you and keep you safe.

Thank you Elizabeth Edwards for your insight: "It was that woman who stood with him years before and promised to love him in sickness and in health; it was those children, whose births marked the very best days of his life. And it isn't so different for any of us, is it? Not for the rich man or the poor man, for the Ethopian or the Thai or the Oregonian." In own experiences as a former spousal caregiver, I came to recognize the value of the Socratic ideal, "Know thyself" and how illness and death -- whether it's our own or that of a loved one -- can force us to tocus on what's important... the whole spectrum of one's personal life: spiritual, social, emotional and physical health. And as President of the Well Spouse Association, http://wellspouse.org, a non-profit group devoted to peer support of people who are spouses or partners of people with _any_ chronic illness and/or disability, I know that many of our members have that recognition, too. Cancer is increasingly becoming a chronic illness, as it was in Tony Snow's case. My thoughts go out to Mrs. Snow, for all that she and her children have endured in the past three years or so her husband was ill.

Thank you Elizabeth Edwards for this: " It was that woman who stood with him years before and promised to love him in sickness and in health; it was those children, whose births marked the very best days of his life. And it isn't so different for any of us, is it? Not for the rich man or the poor man, for the Ethopian or the Thai or the Oregonian."

I know from my own experiences how illness (or captivity) can force one to re-examine one's life, and bring positive results. And as President of the Well Spouse Association, http://wellspouse.org, a non-profit group offering peer support to spouses or partners of people with -any_ chronic illness and/or disability, I know that many of our members have that self-awareness also. Life is a fragile thing, and we need to pay attention to our own spiritual, social, health and physical needs. My thoughts go out to Tony Snow's widow, and children, who lived with the uncertainty, and crisis modes that recurring cancer can bring on -- cancer, too, is increasingly becoming a chronic illness. I wish her and her children peace.

Mrs. Edwards is right, we waste so much time looking for those things that we disagree with instead of spending time in those little things that we can agree. We all love our families, especially our children, and disease or not, those values can conquer all if we let our guard down every once in a while.

I was a little girl in Puerto Rico (8 years old) when my dear aunt (godmother) was diagnosed with breast cancer; subsequently she was diagnosed with breast cancer on the other breasts, developed lung cancer and skin cancer. I lost another aunt to leukemia, my grandmother to cancer in the pancreas, and many other family members to various types of cancer.

I always tell my family and friends, lets enjoy the good times which are few and far in between than to engage in arguments for non-sense. Does it always has to be who is right or who is wrong, life is short, let's live it to the fullest, like Mrs. Edwards, my hat is off to you on a beautiful article.

Mr. Snow will be remembered by his family and close friends, those who knew him best with dear memories of times spent together.

Enter Your Comment

Elilzabeth,
How poignant your article is. Thank you for bringing to light the very things that, indeed, we do all have in common......and many of us only think about during times of crisis.
While you and I differ greatly in our political views....I can surely share your perspective in this article. I liked your comment regarding your short conversation after the 4th parade.
We are brought to our knees often in life. I, too, have lost a child....... It really makes political arguments mute when dealing with the things that make our lives real, livable and meaningful.
I appreciate your perspecitve here and wanted to thank you for writing it. Perhaps it will, if even for a moment, cause someone to pause......and to think why we do what we do in life.

Elizabeth, I met you in Madison, Iowa on New Year's Eve this past year--right before the Iowa Caucuses. You and Senator Edwards were warm, gracious, and remain, in my view, the greatest examples of public servants we have today. This beautiful article you have written reminds me of what a gift you and your husband are to the American people. Thank you.

Mrs. Edwards.. I I just wanted to say that I hope you will be ok and that you will be one of the lucky ones that just has a disease that will linger on until old age... You are my hero

no reason to politicize this. A very capable and articulate man, it is unfortunate that he had to be silenced so soon. I didnt agree with the politics he defended, but i respected the way in which he defended it.

Mrs. Edwards, I have to say that you have to be the strongest women ever... I cried when I read your book and when you put out the paperback and added a new chapter I had to go and sit and read it at the book store! I always look out for articles that will say how you are doing.. I agree with you no one should die of a disease..why is is so hard to find a cure for all these cancers that people are suffering from? . I say a prayer for you ...

A lovely homage to a fellow human being from a beautiful and gracious woman.

Elizabeth, you must live, because you really know how to live and can show us all how to live. You have such passion for life and such clarity on the meaningful things in life. Your spirit towers above your body. My grandmother-in-law had both diabetes and cancer twice. In her youth she was so sick at one time that her four children were farmed out to the relatives. She prevailed, and lived to age 92. You've got her spirit!
lived even longer

Reading the hateful finger-pointing going on in this blog is the quintessential irony. What's that Mrs. Edwards said..."I suspect we agree on more than we'd imagine" or something of the like. I'm all for debating political issues, but this article was about finding common ground. Perhaps we should re-read it.