Elizabeth Edwards

The local news announced that Elizabeth Edwards died. And there I was, suddenly sad. I excused myself from my two daughters playing in the living room who were not a bit interested in the news. I hid in the bathroom and cried.

I don't know a lot about Elizabeth. I knew all the news and gossips about her. I watched Oprah when she promoted her book. I made no judgment on her husband nor the woman involved. I thought it was part of life. The most thing I knew about Elizabeth was her cancer. I believe that if ever one had that, ultimately, she'd die.

And so it happened today.

Makes me remember my bestfriend, who, the first day of December last year lost her life, also to a lifelong illness. She wanted to live, longed for it, fought for it--but her body just succumbed to her illness. She was brain-dead for two days before the doctor unplugged the life-supporting device.

But my friend was not like Elizabeth Edwards. My friend was poor, was blind, was on disability check. But like Elizabeth, she was a mom, too. She was a friend. She was somebody special.

After my friend's death, I made a pledge that I would live my life to the fullest; do everything that I could. My life is only as good as my body is good. And yes, I'd take care of it, too. It's a promise to a friend which I uphold. And when I look back, I think I did fulfill it. I have to give myself credit: in less than a year, I've authored a book.

I want to dedicate my life to all people who have passed away, not only people I personally know. I want to honor them with doing the best with what life I have. That includes Elizabeth.