Elizabeth Edwards
by
Dr.
Wilson Triviño
“I am married to John, mother of four
delicious children, recovering lawyer, I
dearly love tomato sandwiches, and I have
breast cancer,” is how Elizabeth Edwards
describes herself this May 1 at the Possible
Woman conference.
“Cancer is a part of you, but it does
not define you”, stated the wife of former
Presidential candidate John Edwards.
In this emotion filled speech,
Edwards spoke before audiences of several
hundred women convene to make the
impossible, possible.
Edwards fighting her physical
ailments and interrupting a much deserved Florida vacation took
time to share her perspective on politics,
love, and living.
For the record, Elizabeth Edwards has
not endorsed a presidential candidate. Her
politics were more deeply personal than
helping her husband capture the highest
office in the land, but of a journey to
overcome the big “C”, cancer.
Most of her life she has been
preparing and waiting for the big day, going
to school, studying, rearing children,
working as an attorney.
Most
individuals strive and work hard to reach
that nirvana filled existence when our
dreams and hopes become a reality.
The truth is that moment will never
come; the only guarantee is this moment.
That is what cancer has taught
Edwards.
The realization that life’s joys are
to relish the moments we share and
experiences with those we love and cherish.
Using the symbolism of the tapestry,
Edwards drew on how our life is but a thread
that weaves through the tapestry of life.
Our joy is not in the destination but
in the journey.
Edwards shared how she struggles each
day to not be overwhelmed by her cancer.
As self declared Google expert,
Edwards is always scouring the internet
seeking information about the disease.
She also openly talked about her
paranoia.
One day she felt a scab on the back
of her neck.
She looked with a hand held mirror
and was contemplating that the cancer had
metastasized into some skin melanoma.
She was busy searching the internet
when interrupted by her 25 year old
daughter.
When questioned by her daughter, she
owned up and told her about her concern.
The daughter looked at the scab and
said she did not know what a cancer skin
lesion looked like but she definitely knew
what a hair curling burn looked like.
Relieved,
they both shared a laugh.
Edwards deeply personal conversation
with the audience touched on the need to
relish on the simplicity of living life and
being present in the moment.
Edwards is not accepting the death
sentence of cancer, but wants to serve as a
role model of a woman living with cancer.
Political Scientist Dr. Wilson
Triviño resides in Marietta,
Georgia and is a
speaker and writer for ABC Vision. A consulting
firm that focuses on leadership, change, and innovation. He may be
reached at abcvision@gmail.com
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