Letter to Elizabeth Edwards

Dear Elizabeth,
                      It was with great sadness that I read of your passing. Your life and death has had such a profound effect on my life, I feel compelled to write you this letter. If there was ever a definition of motherhood, you would be it. I have followed your struggle with cancer, your partners betrayal and, despite all these blows, your loyalty to him and your kids. You put family first. You did it with strength and dignity, head held high. So many of us would like to be like you.

In todays world of hostilities and dog eat dog, words like loyalty, trust, principles and friendship seem to have lost their place in our lexicon. You have given all these words significance. But most of all you have given meaning to the sentence that directs our lives and the principle I continuously teach my children. Love is the strongest force in the world. You prove it!


So straight off the bat I will tell you that we do not have the same political views, we have never met and I consider myself to be just one of many. That being said, it would be correct to state that if there were more people like you on the planet, it would be a very different and better place.
True greatness comes with bravery, leadership and dignity. In life and in death. You have them all, in fact in bucket loads. Maybe you will notice that I am writing in the present tense. Simply put, people like you live forever in our thoughts and actions.


Have you ever seen an injured elephant mother, trumpeting anger, charge a pride of lions threatening her calves, scattering them in all directions? This is the image that flashes through the mind, watching you supporting your husband and protecting your offspring, in spite of betrayal and disease. Lady, you are the mother of all leaders, the mother of all partners and the mother of all mothers.


As for the father of your offspring (possibly the jackal in our story), a little toilet talk is necessary. His political career is over, but he will not be allowed to slink off into the night back to his girlfriend. Every time his name is mentioned, it will be associated with the word "Creep!" We the public will enforce your legacy of love. So rest assured Elizabeth, your children will be well looked after and you will be a shining light in their eyes and in the annals of history.


A Friend