When we learned that John Edwards was cheating on Elizabeth, we were all aghast. She said very little, but is now breaking her silence through a book in the works.
CNN tells us that “In Resilience, scheduled for a May release, Edwards will discuss how she’s dealt with difficult moments in her life — like her husband’s affair said the publisher.” Mrs. Edwards has been steadfast in refusing to discuss the matter publicly. CNN.com/
When the story first broke I wrote an editorial for the Providence Journal, which is excerpted here. It generated lots of angry emails on Talking Points Memo. But I do in fact believe that when two people love each other, forgiveness is possible, as you will note in the links to Mayo Clinic and WebMD.
Here is an excerpt with the full link and at the end.
Cheating, Chemotherapy, and Commitment
Despite the parade of infidelity scandals among politicians — the outrage and finger-pointing with the John Edwards story is searing. Why? Because in most of the other scandals, there was always a question: Did the wives know? Was there a silent arrangement?
John and Elizabeth seemed to portray a perfect marriage. Their family survived the tragedy of their teenage son’s death with an admirable sense of faith and love. Even though he wasn’t our presidential pick, we appreciated the family man.
Perhaps it is the loss of an image that really angers us most today. John and Elizabeth were models. And we needed an icon. Are we really appalled at what he did to Elizabeth or what he did to us?
What happens behind closed doors is a matter between husband and wife. But when one is a public figure running for president then it seems all bets are off.
Today the media is questioning their inability to do the digging to get at the truth.
But what is the truth? And what is the message? I like what Rabbi Shmuley Boteach in The Jerusalem Post a few days ago: “Why Men Like John Edwards Cheat.” He pointed out that Elizabeth believed John should continue pursuing his presidential dream despite her metastatic breast cancer. It was an example for their children to know that despite difficult battles, life goes on.”
The Rabbi says, “But perhaps an even more important lesson to the convey to our children is that what will truly make them special in life is not becoming president but being committed and loving family members who always put each other first.”
As we sit and wonder and judge – I am reminded of an often-quoted phrase from my grandmother, straight from the Bible, “Let he who is not guilty cast the first stone.” Cheating, Chemotherapy, and Commitment
It is possible to mend a marriage after an affair. The following link will direct you both to the Mayo Clinic’s advice on infidelity and forgiveness, as well as WebMD’s advice on repairing marriage after one spouse has cheated. Mending a Marriage after Infidelity Takes Forgiveness
Copyright 2009 Rita Watson WATCH FOR MORE ON MADOFF THIS WEEK-END . For now READ Retrosexual Romance — high cheating potential through retrosexual romance, a new social networking phenomonem.