Guest Author - Rhonda Cravey

When I read Elizabeth Edward’s book, “Saving Graces,” what stood out the most was how she so gracefully and beautifully handled herself as a mother. Despite facing a very serious illness in a very public forum, she managed to handle the situation in a way that was the most soothing for her children.

Cancer is a devastating disease no matter what roles in life you play but it is especially difficult as a mom. How do we tell our children that we have cancer? How do we explain to them the realities of the situation without destroying their hope for the future?

Elizabeth Edwards is most commonly known as the wife of former Democratic presidential candidate, John Edwards. She met John while attending the University of North Carolina Law School in the 1970s. She and John were married the Saturday after they took the bar exam.

In the midst of Elizabeth’s many roles and accomplishments, it is clear when you read her book that she considers her most important role to be that of mother. In fact, she dedicates her book to her children by saying, “For Wade, Cate, Emma Claire, and Jack. This is a small offering, for no mother has ever been more blessed.” She and John have four children: Catherine, who is attending law school; Emma Claire, who is 9-years-old; Jack, who is 7-years-old; and Wade, their first child, who died in 1996.

Elizabeth has spent much of her life devoted to causes important not only to her children but to children of the nation. She has been a volunteer with her children’s PTA groups and she has been active in their youth soccer leagues. Elizabeth is committed to expanding educational opportunities for children.

In 1996, Elizabeth and John established the Wade Edwards Foundation and helped to build a free computer lab – The Wade Edwards Learning Lab – for high school students in Raleigh. A similar computer lab recently opened in Goldsboro.

Elizabeth was diagnosed with breast cancer the day after the general election in 2004. In her book, she describes the day she and her family received the confirmation of her cancer. It is difficult to read how her husband, John, cared for her and their family during this battle with cancer without falling in love with him. In fact, he reminds me much of my husband. For they now had “a dragon to slay” and they faced this dragon together.

As a result of her husband’s political role, Elizabeth’s battle with cancer has been very public. However, she has turned this into an educational opportunity and now spends much of her time rallying for changes to the health care system.

The story of Elizabeth’s long battle with cancer is inspirational and encouraging. Her story is not about politics or Democrats or Republicans. No, her story is about how one woman has gracefully fought a horrible battle with cancer. Read her story. Follow her lead. Learn from her.