We lost a real hero among us on December 7 when Elizabeth Edwards passed away at age 61 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina surrounded by her family. Elizabeth had dealt with breast cancer since 2004 and impressed us all with her courage and strength. We have all heard of the family struggles that Elizabeth dealt with over the years…the death of her teenaged son Wade in the late 90’s; her husband’s infidelity that was disclosed just two years ago…and now this tragedy of passing away in the prime of her life and leaving behind three children.
My own sister was diagnosed with breast cancer about seven years ago. She lives in Rocky Mount, NC and is a fourth grade teacher. Susie went through a tough time in her late forties but was courageous in facing her illness. She found great family and friend support which helped her face the future bravely. We are so happy today to know that Susie is cancer free. Many women are not so fortunate so we all count our blessings and celebrate Susie’s good health every day.
There are not so many heroes among us anymore and Elizabeth Edwards was one for many of us. She held her head high even in her darkest hours. She remained close to and strong for her children…what an awesome role model. It is reported that in the past years she had created a “Dying Book” for her children to tell them things helpful in their lives to come. One example was “how to choose a mate”; Elizabeth certainly had experience in that regard and some wisdom from her own life experience with her estranged husband, John Edwards.
Elizabeth was a successful lawyer in the early days of her marriage.. She also was a successful businesswoman and opened her own furniture store in downtown Chapel Hill in recent years.
Elizabeth also was a published author and wrote at least two books, “Saving Graces” and “Resilience”.
How blessed her friends and children were to have such a vital, positive woman to admire and emulate. In these days where a sports figure and entertainer can earn millions each year and be lifted up by many as a hero, it is quite refreshing to have lived among a real hero who taught many of us about how to make each day count. As she said, we never know how many days we have left so we need to make today count.
Let’s not let Elizabeth have died in vain. Let’s renew our efforts to be kind, caring, and positive in our daily lives. And let’s make not each day, but each moment count!
