Thursday, January 31, 2008

Godspeed John and Elizabeth...

Apologies, I guess, for this lands on the side of the political. But it really is so much more.


Yesterday really ripped me up. Watching John Edwards drop out of the race was another of those affect-me-more-than-I-thought-it-possibly-could moments. You see, it's a two point thing. Point One: My husband adored John Edwards. I found out after his death (god it's killing me to post that still...he can't really be gone)that he had become quite the active little politico. Many donations had been made. I found this out from logging into his email (it broke me to find out his login was my full name). When we met he was a Libertarian. My love of all things Howard Dean broke him and he actually started attending events and campaigning. I have been, in the past, very active. That's over now. My husband actually converted diehard, one issue voters into Edwards supporters. And now we are left with candidates who will not carry a nation (in my opinion). The death of Edwards campaign almost walks hand in hand with the loss of my husband. He would be so disappointed.

Point Two: I love Elizabeth Edwards. She is my "girl crush" (well, so is Tyra, but I'm a little upset with her after last ANTM so...) I actually wished Elizabeth would consider a run. Here is an accomplished woman and mother. I mean, who would have thought that, given the Dr. Laura mentality of so many. When she was diagnosed with breast cancer, and fought it publically and with such grace, I fell more in love. When it came back my heart broke. When John Edwards quit the race my first thoughts were of her...and my hope that she is well and that his decision had nothing to do with her health. But he looked a bit broken, and I've never seen him have trouble speaking. And I heard a trembling in his voice that was never there before. And I thought of them both, and how I hope and wish and send all the vibes in the world that he will not have to join so many of us on this young widowhood journey. And that the world is not about to lose a woman who would have made a wonderful first lady-embodying true class, grit, grace and illustrating that motherhood and career are, indeed, possible. Elizabeth, be well. Please be well.

***on the plus side I recently found out I fit into a skirt that I've held onto since high school. On the negative side, I would not recommend this "diet" to anyone.

11 comments:

Courtney said...

I love John and Elizabeth too. They have all ready lost a child so for him to also lose a spouse so young I can't even imagine! In my opinion we have no other candidates to lead this nation either. Just sad. I hope she is well & it wasn't for her health reasons he is dropping out.

J said...

I hadn't really thought of Elizabeth yesterday, but he did say he was going to stick it out until at least Super Tuesday, and that being so soon...god, I hope it's not her health. I heard her on Wait Wait Don't Tell Me, and I fell in love as well. I'd vote for her any day of the week and twice on Sunday.

Your diet indeed sucks. Heavy sigh. Be well.

Laurie in Ca. said...

I love both of these guys too. And you know, I feel that if he did drop out for her health issues, he is doing the right thing in supporting the love of his life. He has his priorities straight. She will always be HIS FIRST LADY and he will be her HERO.
I hope you have a great day today in spite of this disappointment. You deserve it.

Laurie in Ca.

Rach said...

OH, Laura, me too.

Laurie, you said it best. :sigh:

Courtney said...

I have something for you, stop by and see.

Jess T said...

Sorry. :( I'm interested to see where we will end up on election day.

Marshamlow said...

I remember when Bush got elected, both times I felt a sense of being betrayed by my country. How can people be so wrong. Over the last few years I have had to get to know a lot of Bush lovers. They turned out to be good people with just different ideas of the correct path toward a better country. I was amazed at how much a die hard liberal like me and die hard republicans have in common. I am trying to see politics in those terms now days, we all care just have different ideas of how to get to a place where there is less crime, poverty, better medicine, better schools, etc.

Sandy's Space said...

Dear Laura,

Five years ago my husband died in a car accident. We were married for 25 years and very much in love. He was my light house. A good friend of mine passed along your blog and although I have not had a chance to go through it completely, I can say I know what you are goingn through.

I will also tell you that I am here for you if you need someone to talk to, to get you through the hard times. I have a son and we went through Hell, but I can also tell you there is a light at the end of the tunnel. The pain and loss and desire to have things back as they were never seem to go but you adapt to encorporate the way things are. Please drop me a line I'd love to talk to you. I am at canadian1st@hotmail.com. My name is Sandy. Love to you and know you are never alone

artemisia said...

I know! I was really, really disappointed. I love to hear Obama speak - or rather I did, no he is playing the game too much -- but I just wasn't sold on his being the presidential candidate. I was whole-heartedly behind Edwards.

I do think the family will always be active. He is young enough, maybe he'll run again later. If he's not through with us.

Nance said...

I was sad to see John Edwards drop out as well; sorry to see anyone drop out, Dem or repub, so early, before the majority of the country has had its say. I always saw JE as a sort of hybrid of Presidents Clinton and Carter.

I, too, first thought "I do hope it's not because of his wife's health", but since they have both been so forthcoming about her illness, I can't imagine that they would be less so now.

Let's hope.

Anonymous said...

You will REALLY be mad at Tyra if you read the transcripts of her interview with John Edwards.

And hey, maybe Obama will choose him for VP.