It has been much too long since I blogged. I promise to do better!
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, and the one that just passed is no exception. Our family cooked and ate for several days. A new generation of younger children and grandchildren found their “bed” to be the floor, and there were no complaints. We were all together, and healthy. We have so much for which to be thankful, and I am, especially these past couple of days. Elizabeth Edwards has had her last Thanksgiving with her family. The rest of us do not know if the same is true for us.
I was not always an Elizabeth Edwards fan, but I have been the past couple of years, and more so since reading all of the eulogies written for and about her since her death a couple of days ago. She leaves her children a powerful legacy.
I am also ashamed about something that happened with me years ago related to Elizabeth Edwards. I landed in Raleigh NC on the same plane as John Edwards, and was shocked to see the very overweight woman who met him, who I then realized was his wife Elizabeth. I remember thinking how handsome he was and how unattractive she was, and wondered why she didn’t/couldn’t take better care of her physical appearance. That was probably when she weighed the most. But regardless, shame on me; I knew better, even then. I have thought of this so many times these past couple of years, and felt so guilty for my shallow impression of this obviously strong, dynamic, resilient, kind (no, not always, apparently, but neither are you or I!) woman who suffered so much, and publically, and still maintained her grace. The intervening years have taught me the difference in a teflon handsome man and a beautiful to the core (no, not perfect, but are you or I?!), yet not as physically attractive woman.
Elizabeth Edwards, may you rest in peace. Your beauty remains in the lives of your children. Thank you for being the vehicle for one of my most important life lessons. I will never forget it; or you.
