Saving Graces - Elizabeth Edwards [166]
There were cancer survivors, like Jen and Carol and Pat and Ellen. Maggie is a survivor who wrote, “Cancer has a frightening sound to it but don’t let it spook you. It is just a word and words can be changed into other words very quickly. Like ‘cancer survivor, cured, no evidence of a recurrence.’” Vickie managed to cheer me up by teasing John, “Hang in there, Elizabeth, and know that people in this country do love, care, and respect you and yeah, your husband, what’s-his-name.” Shari, Andy, and their two children posted, “You enveloped us and showed us such caring and compassion. Now it’s our turn to help you.” And Thom reminded me to “lean into the strength you would receive from your family, friends, and thousands of people who have never met you but feel touched by you.” And I did. Sherry’s confidence would buoy anyone: “The breast cancer is simply another box to check off your list of things you will overcome. Period.”
Sonja reminded me just by the act of posting that I was never alone. Marilyn let me know that if I did feel alone, I could call her. Martha told me that she would be asking the Quaker meeting in Columbus, Ohio, to “hold you in the Light,” as Quakers say, until you are well again. Brenda sweetly wrote, “May the angels walk with you and keep you safe.” They did, and they had names like Sonja and Brenda and Martha and Marilyn.
There was a political bent to some of the postings, but as in the letters, the politics seemed to slip away, but not always. Michelle wrote, “God bless you, Mrs. Edwards. Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family from the blue states and from the red states.” Someone with the self-confidence to call himself “Animal” wrote: “I’ve always liked politics, but John Edwards inspired me to get involved in this year’s election. Part of the reason was because of you, Mrs. Edwards. You would always lift us up with your positive message when things were down. We are all here and praying for you.” Richard wrote that we need you to get strong again so you can fight for health care for all the women who don’t have it. And Kevin wrote that he had voted for Leonard Peltier, the Native American artist and activist, and added, “I wish you a speedy remission of your cancer and may GOD bless you and yours.” Casey D. reported that John’s message motivated her 103-year-old friend Mammie of Atlanta to vote for the first time in her life. And Caroline L. sweetly wrote that after reading an interview with me in the New York Times Magazine, she wanted to make up a bumper sticker that read “Elizabeth Edwards, reason enough!”
Gordon said enough nice things about my campaigning that I felt good before I reached his good wishes on my health: “I have nothing but admiration for you in the way you held yourself during the campaign. You are a down-to-earth, sensible soul. Seeing you on C-SPAN and various talk shows was always a breath of fresh air, never shrill, never partisan, never harsh. Just straightforward, honest, with a quiet dignity and integrity. You have done nothing short of truly elevating political discourse in this society and nation. Thanks for all your service to the country. And may better health and healing find you as you endure this recent setback.” If I need a press secretary ever again, I am looking for Gordon.
A lot of people who had not voted for my husband, like Kevin, sent good wishes but also pointed out that we had political differences—and often they wanted to state that right from the start. Dan from Raleigh sent good wishes, but began his e-mail with “I am a Republican.” Tommaso and Stacy from Durham started their e-mail to John by announcing, “I did not vote for you,” but ended with a prayer that “God heal your bride Elizabeth.” I do like being called his bride. Porter described himself as a right-wing blogger and Bush supporter, then said, “When the day is done we all are people and Americans,