Unless you just don’t keep up with national news, you will know by now that Elizabeth Edwards, the estranged wife of John Edwards who has twice run for national office and been defeated, is at the “no more treatment” stage in her battle with cancer.

She died Tuesday at home with family and friends.

Here is the statement she released a day before her death:

“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.”

We should all remember these words when dark clouds gather.