Life Shines On

Today is a sad day for the children of Elizabeth Edwards; their mother is on her deathbed.    I remember the first images of the Edwards family; a handsome young senator and his wife of 20 years with 2 adorable toddlers and a pretty young teenage daughter.  Even though they looked perfect, this family had experienced a great loss; the death of of their 16 year old son, Wade.  John and Elizabeth decided to have 2 more children, even though they were in their late 40s.  This made their union seem even stronger.  This family  exuded strength and courage.  

Unfortunately, this image was short-lived.  Over the past 10 years, we have watched this family unravel from being very attractive, educated, wealthy, with traditional American values to one of complete chaos.   Over achievers in every way, the Edwards' well exceeded the number of stressful events a family can experience in one lifetime:  the death of a 16 year old son, pregancies at age 48 and 50, vice-presidential candidacy, diagnosis of breast cancer, infidelity, bastard child, sex tapes, separation and all of this on national public television.     

I can't imagine how a 10 and 12 year old has coped in this household.  And I don't want to forget, Cate, who is about to try and take on the role of her mother.  There are just some things you can't protect from your children.  I think Elizabeth has tried very hard to be a wonderful mother, but circumstances have made it extremely challenging.  It isn't fair for these children to have experienced so much conflict, stress, and sorrow in the first 10 years of their lives.  But I do believe we can find strength in the chaos.  We have watched other young children rise above the chaos in similar circumstances.  Remember when we watched the infidelity, sex audiotapes, separation of another family who seemed ot have it all?  Prince William was around the age of Emma and Jack when his mother tragically died.  Maybe he could send his support...