Elizabeth Edwards

昨晚新聞節目裏全是關於Elizabeth Edwards因乳腺癌去世的消息。真的很難過。作為公眾人物，她癌症的診斷，治療，和複發都是新聞。和致命的病魔鬥爭，其實是一件很私人的事。不過她有勇氣麵對大眾，尤其是繼續為自己相信的causes (比如醫療改革)出頭露麵，我很佩服她。我從沒有見過她，不過2004年John Edwards在總統競選中來過我們小城，帶著他們最小的孩子Jack。我記得當時那個才4歲的小男孩在他爸爸嚴肅的講演中滿台亂跑，台下一片哄笑。我不能想像他現在失去母親的痛苦，也不能想像Elizabeth對離開自己年幼孩子的遺憾。Elizabeth一生經曆了太多令人難以想像的痛苦（比如16歲的大兒子車禍身亡，又比如丈夫出軌），可是她在去世前還是說自己對人生充滿了感激：

"You all know that I have been sustained throughout my life by three saving graces – my family, my friends, and a faith in the power of resilience and hope. These graces have carried me through difficult times and they have brought more joy to the good times than I ever could have imagined. The days of our lives, for all of us, are numbered. We know that.

And, yes, there are certainly times when we aren't able to muster as much strength and patience as we would like. It's called being human.But I have found that in the simple act of living with hope, and in the daily effort to have a positive impact in the world, the days I do have are made all the more meaningful and precious. And for that I am grateful. It isn't possible to put into words the love and gratitude I feel to everyone who has and continues to support and inspire me every day. To you I simply say: you know."

真是一個勇敢的女子！

[荻花]

回複chong2的評論:

她是。今天新聞裏播了她女兒在葬禮上的講話，聽得我忍不住哭了。

[chong2]

Graceful lady.