The news from the National Enquirer regarding the final days of Elizabeth Edwards was stark. Yet, when you see the video of her, you will realize that she is leaving a gift.
Embrace life, gift 1
The paper quoted Elizabeth Edwards as saying, “I’m dying.” But in many ways her talk to the Livingston Economic Club at Cleary University's Johnson Center in Genoa Township was a hopeful one for others. She acknowledged that she was losing her battle with cancer. She said, "I have stage 4 cancer and I'm dying." THE SAD FINAL DAYS OF ELIZABETH EDWARDS -
This honesty, as you will see from the video is true gift, an example of living life and cherishing each moment. Edwards: Embrace your life as it is (with video)
Accepting John’s lovechild, gift 2
After arranging for a meeting with John's lovechild, little Quinn, of whom the mother is Rielle Hunter, Elizabeth said, 'Go stand next to Daddy," and she took a picture of the two of them..
For the sake of family and a child who is half-sister to the Edwards' children, Elizabeth Edwards met and embraced John's baby Frances Quinn.
Points that I stress so often with regard to marriage and infidelity -- anger is dangerous and damaging. Searching for clues is demeaning. At some point in a person's life there must be forgiveness. This meeting with Quinn is Elizabeth's example of forgiveness and acceptance to give her own children. Elizabeth Edwards embraces John's love child; infidelity and forgiveness
Asking that John Edwards be viewed as a loving father, gift 3
Despite her estranged husband’s betrayal, Elizabeth Edwards wants her children to look on former presidential candidate John Edwards not as a cheating spouse, but a loving father.
“I have three living children for whom this is a father whom I want them to love, on whom they’re going to have to rely, perhaps if my disease takes a bad turn. It’s really important to me that they see him in a positive light,” Elizabeth Edwards: John ‘no longer the person I married’ | WCNC
To read more about Elizabeth Edwards and John’s love-child: Elizabeth Edwards embraces John’s love child; infidelity and forgiveness
Trying to save a marriage instead of snooping it to death through suspicion
The take-away message here is perception — she wants to change the perception that the public has of John Edwards as a man who was unfaithful to his wife, to a man who was a good father.
Notice that Elizabeth Edwards never uses the word “cheater” nor does she ever talk about “snooping” to find out what was going on. And she even talked about trying to save their marriage. While it did not work out, making the attempt — without malice, as did Jenny Sanford — gives women a certain peace of mind. Elizabeth Edwards: see John as loving dad not cheating spouse
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Copyright 2010 Rita Watson/ All Rights Reserved
Comments
As the video in the second link above clearly shows, Elizabeth Edwards says "I'm not dying today or tomorrow as the National Enquirer suggests." (She looks great, too.)
Why does the tabloid insist on publishing such hateful stories full of distortions? I hope she's around for a very, very long time and gets to watch them go out of business when they finally go too far and someone sues them right out of business. (The parent company has already faced possible bankruptcy.)
She has acknowledged that her cancer is spreading, she is in Stage 4, and even the new treatments have not worked.
Perhaps not today, not tomorrow, but she is aware of what 'terminal' means.
She is a gracious woman, who gravitates towards the media. The Enquirer story is really a synopsis of what she has been saying in talks and on TV.
As for the Enquirer credibility, have a look at my piece "Marriage and infidelity tabloid news: Gawker ranks, CJR explains"
However, I do share your view as does her family, we hope she will be around for a long time. Given her own discussions with members of the press, she is preparing her children and family as the final day draws near. / R
When Elizabeth Edwards announced her cancer had returned in an incurable form, her doctor explained it was treatable. The treatment involves changing medications from time to time in order to slow the progression of the disease. (Staying on one medication continuously is far less effective.)
Therefore, the tabloid story is not a synopsis - at least not an accurate one - of the situation. (Remember, early this year they said she'd be dead in six months.) If it were, she would not have specifically contradicted their reports.
Now that Elizabeth is gone, I don't see John Edwrds spending his life with Rielle Hunter. It will take a long time for John to heal from the pain of losing Elizabeth. She was the love of his life despite his physical dalliance. Nonetheless, he will likely not spend his life alone. When the dust settles, he will still be the man who worked so hard to be successful. Edwards will remember that man, not the man who needed some excitement. Like most successful men he will want to spend his time and life with someone who is both the lady in the living room and the fun loving woman in the bedroom. That woman is NOT Rielle. She proved that when she did the GQ photos. It was more important for her to be viewed as attractive than to care about John's feelings and even she admits that his reaction was to ask her where her pants were. Despite what Rielle says, she does not love him. She loves his fame, money and former respectability. The respectability that could have lead him to the Presidency. Right now, that man does not exist. When he comes back the attraction will be gone. If I were John Edwards, I would begin to think about getting custody of Quinn as I am certain down the road Edwards will not want her to grow up like her mother. Cate, plant the seed. The time is now. John Edwards, good luck in the future and I will pray for you and your family.
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