Elizabeth Edwards and blogger Jen Lemen at BlogHer 07
This account from Jen Lemen captures both the enigma that is Elizabeth Edwards, and the heroine. Jen had the courage to ask Mrs. Edwards a question that I think many women would like to ask. It’s Edwards’ answer that I wasn’t prepared for. Jen, thank you for writing this amazing piece, and Josh Hallett, thank you for taking these photos and sharing them!
Jen writes:
One of the highlights of my time at Blogher was meeting Elizabeth Edwards. I’d been feeling so distracted during the keynote, wondering what it must be like to be her at this moment in time–knowing you have untreatable cancer, small children and a husband who very well may land up in the White House.
Later at our last party at the Children’s Museum, I had a chance to ask her about all this. She received my curiosity and concern with so much grace.
“I worry about you,†I said, surprised at how emotional I felt putting these thoughts into words. “I know your cancer is back and that you have these little children. I want to be so supportive of what you’re doing, but at the same time I don’t want to participate in something that would diminish this time in your family’s life–your time is so precious.â€
It feels shocking now to recount this. Who am I to worry about Elizabeth Edwards or to get myself worked up into some form of motherhood grief over the thought of being ill or leaving little children behind, but the whole thing just gets me. One of my greatest fears is orphaning my children. I feel so deeply how much they need me, how much their hearts would be split in two without me.
She turned to me with so much fire in her blue eyes, so much strength, so much grace. “You know John and I lost a child?†I nod, remembering that story and how that grief must have fueled their resolve to have more children, so many years later. “We know how important it is to not live our lives with regret.†She put her hands on my shoulders, the way your mother does when you need to hear her clearly, when she needs to speak directly to your heart.” To read the rest, click here
I’m not at the Yearly Kos conference, and I have mixed feelings about that. I’d like to hear and see and learn and absorb, and I’d like to support the amazing Gina Cooper. But on the other hand, the other conference in Chicago, although not overtly political, filled me up for a long time, and is driving me to help elect worthy leaders in 2008. I don’t think the Kos conference would do that.
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About Me
Morra Aarons-Mele utilizes social media strategies to help employers, employees and communities connect. She also consults with leading organizations on how women can use the internet for professional and personal development. In her spare time, Morra enjoys blogging about women and politics. Read her full bio >>
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