To Elizabeth Edwards: Thank you

[pamela]

Thank you for being a member of the DU community. I will never forget the day after the 2004 election when you posted here to raise our spirits. You had been through a grueling political campaign and had just found out you had cancer but you thought of us and tried to make us feel better. I will never forget that.

Thank you for always fighting for progressive causes. You fought the good fight for health care and were a voice of reason during a summer of teabaggers and death panels. You were waging your own battle with the return of your cancer and yet you fought on.

Thank you for your grace and resilience. I don't use the term "role model" lightly but you have been a role model for me. You are smart, lovely, down-to-earth, a wonderful friend and mother and one of the best damn Democrats to grace the national stage. In an age where I have been sometimes ashamed of the politicians I supported you have never let me down. Ever. I will always be a proud Elizabeth Edwards supporter.

My heart is breaking with today's news and I wish you nothing but peace and love. Thank you so much. For everything.



Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in.

[northoftheborder]

1. @gratefulness.org you can light a candle for someone.

This might be a good time to start a candle for Elizabeth Edwards.

[pamela]

4. I lit one for her there earlier today.

I was pretty upset and didn't really know how to start a group so I just lit one by myself. If someone could get an Elizabeth Edwards group going, that would be great. God, I can't believe how upset this news has made me.

[MelissaB]

2. Well said.

I remember that day clearly. She is an amazing lady.

[Jamastiene]

3. K&R

[KC]

41. K&R

[saracat]

5. Elizabeth is a marvel. I will always love her.Peace.

[pamela]

12. hugs to you, saracat

I know you must be terribly upset.
:hug: :cry:

[hlthe2b]

6. Absolutely...

If things had been different--so very different and she had ended up in the WH as our First Lady, think what an incredible lesson she could have delivered to all of us in terms of living with cancer. She is still an incredible example--maybe even more so, given the tremendous adversities she has had to deal with concurrently.

I am so saddened, but I have no doubt she has prepared her children and will live out her remaining days with purpose and grace. I can only pray she be spared the pain. Much, Love, Elisabeth. You are one of us.

[Cleita]

7. I will miss her more than I missed her when she

stopped posting here. May she have a peaceful voyage to the other side.

[underseasurveyor]

8. Elizabeth you are a gem among gems

Love you and wish you and your family peace and love.
Thank you for all the beautiful and wonderful things you've done and given to so many.
You have always been a giver.

YOU I love!

[greatauntoftriplets]

9. She's a class act. May her last days be without pain.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

10. I am very sad

[Withywindle]

11. Beautifully said, and I agree.

She was here for us, so let's all be here for her.


You are SO loved and admired, Elizabeth. Please take joy in this, and know that if you must leave this world soon, you will have helped make it a better place than you found it. Your life's work was very, very good. What more can anyone aspire to?

[pamela]

16. Your post started the tears flowing again.

Beautiful post.

[Lucinda]

23. :)

Very well said!

[nadinbrzezinski]

13. K&R

[Paper Roses]

14. A beautiful woman, I wish her peace.

[TheUnspeakable]

15. Thank You, Elizabeth-that 2004 post is what brought me to DU!!

[pamela]

20. Elizabeth brought me to DU, too.

It wasn't that post as I had joined about a week before that. I was watching her on CSPAN, the weekend before the election and thought she was amazing. I had lurked a bit on DU but I was afraid to join so close to the election because everyone was being really suspicious of newbies. While watching Elizabeth someone mentioned DU and she got this incredibly mischievous smile on her face and admitted to reading it. I came here to see what folks were saying about her townhall and had to sign up to join the thread.

Her post after the election just blew me away. I couldn't believe she was posting here with all that she was going through. It was the only bright spot in those very dark days. I really will never forget it and have always loved her for doing that. I don't know if she realizes what that meant to so many of us.

[tpsbmam]

17. Beautiful message to an awesome woman, Pamela.

[Mira]

18. Recommended with great sadness and appreciation of a Queen among women N/T

[WCGreen]

19. Here Here....

She is a very strong woman and chose to grab as much out of life as she possibly could...

[AndrewP]

21. Thank you Elizabeth for a journey well taken

[Lucinda]

22. Thank you for the beautiful thread Pamela.

EE, her friends, and family are in my prayers.

[deminks]

24. The post from Elizabeth Edwards November 5, 2004

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=2604461&mesg_id=2604461

I will never forget. That post got me through that day and many more since, even now.

[pamela]

25. Thanks for posting that.

Wow, that's a stroll down memory lane. I love this post by Elizabeth in response to someone later in the thread...

"Love this "rejoin your unit at the front" post because it says it all: there is a front in this war, and you can absolutely count on the fact that John and I will be there."

[CaliforniaPeggy]

26. What a perfectly beautiful thread to a beautiful woman...

And that little poem at the end: It made me tear up...

Where did that come from? It's perfect...

:cry:

[pamela]

28. It's from the Leonard Cohen song "Anthem"

Someone on DU posted that for Elizabeth once. She later said that she listened to that song over and over again during the bad period with John and that line in particular sustained her.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

32. Thanks!

I just googled it and found it...

What a beautiful poem. And to think that she had comfort from it during that awful time...oh god.

I appreciate the back story..

[Bluerthanblue]

27. painfully beautiful

...

[kentuck]

29. If there was one chance in a million that you might read these words...

our thoughts are with you.

Go courageously wherever you must go. God be with you.

[pamela]

33. There is a chance she will...

I sent her a message on her private Facebook page with a link to this thread. I wanted her to know how much she is loved here and to be able to read all the wonderful things people are saying about her. That's why I've been bumping this all night. If she reads it, I want it to be filled with all of our love and best wishes.

[progressoid]

30. I met her in '09

Sometimes you just get a good vibe from a person. She is one of those people.

:thumbsup:

[Kalyke]

31. Bless you, Beth.

I hate to be a Debbie Downer, so I won't. I am so glad - PROUD - that she still left her cheating spouse even during the worst time of her life.

Thank you, Elizabeth (my daughter's middle name is Elisabeth - with the "s") for honoring your pride. For teaching young women that men CANNOT do that to you - even when you're sick.

I love that spirit in you Elizabeth. I love your name. I love your mind.

[KT2000]

34. Yes indeed

I remember when she posted here.
Thank you Elizabeth Edwards for your steadfast support of healthcare for all.

[True_Blue]

35. Yes, Thank You Ms. Edwards

Thank you for your courage, your sacrifice, for fighting the good fight, and being an inspiration to all of us. Go in peace and have no regrets for your time here on earth was well spent. May you find comfort in knowing that soon you will see your beautiful boy Wade. We'll see you on the other side.

[TexasObserver]

36. recommend

[Rhiannon12866]

37. K&R. What a beautiful post and tribute.

I, too, remember when Elizabeth Edwards graced us with her presence. She announced that she was going to Mass General in Boston for treatment and I replied that this was a wise choice, since I'd also sought treatment there for women's issues, teaching hospital, cutting edge. I so wish that things had turned out differently for her. But she's a lovely and courageous lady and has been an inspiration to all of us... ;( :loveya:

[Raine]

38. Lovely post

THANK YOU for starting it.

[bobmorr1]

39. We Love You Elizabeth

Thank you and god bless you.

[KC]

40. I have always

admired Elizabeth and always will. I only met her once but she feels
like a dear friend. She is an incredible and amazing woman and an
example we should all try to follow in our own lives.

My thoughts are with her and her family.


KC

[we can do it]

42. Thanks and Peace To You Elizabeth