--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I was slapped down to the ground when my…" description: "\"I was slapped down to the ground when my son Wade died in 1996, in April of 1996.\" — John Edwards" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cce/john-edwards-18834_april_i-was-slapped-down-to-the-ground-when-my_2087391.jpg" --- # I was slapped down to the ground when my son Wade died in… ![“I was slapped down to the ground when my son Wade died in 1996, in April of 1996.” quote by John Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cce/john-edwards-18834_april_i-was-slapped-down-to-the-ground-when-my_2087391.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cce/john-edwards-18834_april_i-was-slapped-down-to-the-ground-when-my_2087391.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cce/john-edwards-18834_april_i-was-slapped-down-to-the-ground-when-my_2087391.jpg) > “I was slapped down to the ground when my son Wade died in 1996, in April of 1996.” [John Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-edwards/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A personal tragedy is recounted, highlighting deep grief and loss. **In simple terms:** He shares a painful memory of his son’s death. Key Takeaway Acknowledge and process personal loss. Themes grief family politics Mood somber reflective Type political personal When to use this quote - political rally - memorial service - interview - public address Key Concepts personal loss public speaking emotional vulnerability Questions to Reflect On - How does personal loss affect public perception? - When is it appropriate to share personal tragedy? A Different Perspective Sharing such grief publicly can be seen as political exploitation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [1996 April](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/1996-april-4108416/) [April](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/april/) [April 1996](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/april-1996-4108415/) [Died](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/died/) [Down](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/down/) [Ground](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ground/) [Slapped](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/slapped/) [Slapped Ground](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/slapped-ground-4108417/) [Son](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/son/) [Son Wade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/son-wade-4108414/) [Wade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wade/) [Wade Died](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wade-died-2771880/) ## Related quotes > [“That ought to do it.' He stood up and held out his hand to her, but she ignored it, rolling over so that she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-quinn/that-ought-to-do-it-he-stood-up-and-held-out-his-hand-to-her-but-she/) [Julia Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-quinn/) > [“No nerve, hey? Not half a man!... Buster Jack, why don't you finish game? Make up for your low-down tricks. At the last try…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zane-grey/no-nerve-hey-not-half-a-man-buster-jack-why-don-t-you-finish-game/) [Zane Grey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zane-grey/) > [“I’m not afraid of them. Hits, I can take. After all, I was slapped on the ass the minute I was born, and not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/i-m-not-afraid-of-them-hits-i-can-take-after-all-i-was-slapped-on-the/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [Any man can take a sucker punch, but if you get slapped, it's other repercussions to that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mustard/any-man-can-take-a-sucker-punch-but-if-you-get-slapped-it-s-other/) [Mustard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mustard/) > [“Without hesitation, First Lady Betty raised her right hand and slapped the shit out of me. “Don’t you ever question my Christianity ever again…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quan-millz/without-hesitation-first-lady-betty-raised-her-right-hand-and-slapped/) [Quan Millz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quan-millz/) > [“Let me explain something to you. When you’ve made a woman mad by spying on her, you don’t fix it by telling her she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/let-me-explain-something-to-you-when-you-ve-made-a-woman-mad-by/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [Didn't know how to say farewell so I slapped him in the face and ran away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/didn-t-know-how-to-say-farewell-so-i-slapped-him-in-the-face-and-ran/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Sometimes a woman just needs to be slapped.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-connery/sometimes-a-woman-just-needs-to-be-slapped/) [Sean Connery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-connery/) > [“I pushed him away by his shoulders and slapped my dick against his cheek. “It’s my turn to play top.” I wasn’t used to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-cox/i-pushed-him-away-by-his-shoulders-and-slapped-my-dick-against-his/) [James Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-cox/) > [That awkward moment that someone scared you and you slapped him accidentally.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tequilamucho/that-awkward-moment-that-someone-scared-you-and-you-slapped-him/) [Tequilamucho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tequilamucho/) > [“Tears welled in Penelope's eyes, making the blue even darker. Then she reeled back and slapped him hard enough that his cheek stung. "That…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jess-michaels/tears-welled-in-penelope-s-eyes-making-the-blue-even-darker-then-she/) [Jess Michaels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jess-michaels/) > [“Did I just get psychically pimp-slapped by a little old lady?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/molly-harper/did-i-just-get-psychically-pimp-slapped-by-a-little-old-lady/) [Molly Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/molly-harper/) > [Once I slapped a rapper with mace, Then I spit acid in his face, after he rinsed his eyes, no wait... I actually grew…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pharoahe-monch/once-i-slapped-a-rapper-with-mace-then-i-spit-acid-in-his-face-after/) [Pharoahe Monch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pharoahe-monch/) > [“Dude slapped me and then walked away!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nanae-chrono/dude-slapped-me-and-then-walked-away/) [Nanae Chrono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nanae-chrono/) > [That's the kind of dude I was lookin' for and yes you'll get slapped if you're lookin' hoe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicki-minaj/that-s-the-kind-of-dude-i-was-lookin-for-and-yes-you-ll-get-slapped/) [Nicki Minaj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicki-minaj/) ## More by John Edwards > [South Carolina, as a matter of compromise, displays the Confederate flag on a flagpole in front of the state capitol. Because I grew up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-edwards/south-carolina-as-a-matter-of-compromise-displays-the-confederate/) [John Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-edwards/) > [I would not, under any circumstances, try to impose my personal faith and belief on the rest of the country. I don't think that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-edwards/i-would-not-under-any-circumstances-try-to-impose-my-personal-faith/) [John Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-edwards/) > [America's families will be safer in a world where we're strong, where we're engaged, but where we're respected.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-edwards/america-s-families-will-be-safer-in-a-world-where-we-re-strong-where/) [John Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-edwards/) > [I have grown up in the bright light of America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-edwards/i-have-grown-up-in-the-bright-light-of-america/) [John Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-edwards/) > [I didn't get to the Senate by accident.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-edwards/i-didn-t-get-to-the-senate-by-accident/) [John Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-edwards/) > [If we do the work that we can do in this country, the work that we will do when John Kerry is President, people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-edwards/if-we-do-the-work-that-we-can-do-in-this-country-the-work-that-we/) [John Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-edwards/) > [This is America, where everything is still possible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-edwards/this-is-america-where-everything-is-still-possible/) [John Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-edwards/) > [I'm not sure I had a political career for the future anyway. I'm not sure that politics was what I wanted to spend my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-edwards/i-m-not-sure-i-had-a-political-career-for-the-future-anyway-i-m-not/) [John Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-edwards/) > [I want to be a champion for the people I have fought for all my life - regular people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-edwards/i-want-to-be-a-champion-for-the-people-i-have-fought-for-all-my-life/) [John Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-edwards/) > [In America we believe that every child, no matter where they live, who their family is, or what the color of their skin, is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-edwards/in-america-we-believe-that-every-child-no-matter-where-they-live-who/) [John Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-edwards/) > [I believe that presidential candidates actually have a responsibility to point out substantive differences: to point out perspectives that are different.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-edwards/i-believe-that-presidential-candidates-actually-have-a-responsibility/) [John Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-edwards/) > [I actually defeated an incumbent Republican senator who was part of the Jesse Helm's political machine in North Carolina, the result of which is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-edwards/i-actually-defeated-an-incumbent-republican-senator-who-was-part-of/) [John Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-edwards/) > [If you want to beat me up, feel free. You cannot beat me up more than I have already beaten up myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-edwards/if-you-want-to-beat-me-up-feel-free-you-cannot-beat-me-up-more-than-i/) [John Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-edwards/) > [I think an Edwards-Kerry ticket would be powerful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-edwards/i-think-an-edwards-kerry-ticket-would-be-powerful/) [John Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-edwards/) > [Faith is not a political strategy and should not be a political strategy. If it is being used as a tool to garner votes,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-edwards/faith-is-not-a-political-strategy-and-should-not-be-a-political/) [John Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-edwards/) [Explore all 34 John Edwards quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-edwards/) ## More April quotes > [“I had a chat with May and I had a sweet talk with April but the lovely conversation that left me to ponder was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-agyemang-yeboah/i-had-a-chat-with-may-and-i-had-a-sweet-talk-with-april-but-the/) [Ernest Agyemang Yeboah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-agyemang-yeboah/) > [It might interest you that just as the U.S. was ramping up its involvement in Vietnam, LBJ launched an illegal invasion of the Dominican…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/junot-diaz/it-might-interest-you-that-just-as-the-u-s-was-ramping-up-its/) [Junot Diaz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/junot-diaz/) > [Two things you need to know about taxes. They've extended the deadline to April 18, and when you write your check, just make it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-letterman/two-things-you-need-to-know-about-taxes-they-ve-extended-the-deadline/) [David Letterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-letterman/) > [Why should I deem myself to be a chisel, when I could be the artist?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-schiller/why-should-i-deem-myself-to-be-a-chisel-when-i-could-be-the-artist/) [Friedrich Schiller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-schiller/) > [The air soft as that of Seville in April, and so fragrant that it was delicious to breathe it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-columbus/the-air-soft-as-that-of-seville-in-april-and-so-fragrant-that-it-was/) [Christopher Columbus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-columbus/) > [Our opponents see an America in which every day is April 15, tax day. Well, we see an America in which every day is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/our-opponents-see-an-america-in-which-every-day-is-april-15-tax-day/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [Here cometh April again, and as far as I can see the world hath more fools in it than ever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lamb/here-cometh-april-again-and-as-far-as-i-can-see-the-world-hath-more/) [Charles Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lamb/) > [It felt like 10 years, but I was actually in treatment for three-and-a-half years. I finally finished in April. Two years ago, I had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suleika-jaouad/it-felt-like-10-years-but-i-was-actually-in-treatment-for-three-and-a/) [Suleika Jaouad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suleika-jaouad/) > [The air is like a butterfly With frail blue wings. The happy earth looks at the sky And sings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-kilmer/the-air-is-like-a-butterfly-with-frail-blue-wings-the-happy-earth/) [Joyce Kilmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-kilmer/) > [At 1.24 am on 26 April 1986 Chernobyl’s Unit 4 reactor exploded after staff disabled safety systems and performed an ill-advised experiment to check…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-lynas/at-1-24-am-on-26-april-1986-chernobyl-s-unit-4-reactor-exploded-after/) [Mark Lynas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-lynas/) > [People born in April are very loving and caring people. They are the ones who have the best memories.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/people-born-in-april-are-very-loving-and-caring-people-they-are-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Ah, March! we know thou art Kind-hearted, spite of ugly looks and threats, And, out of sight, art nursing April's violets!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-hunt-jackson/ah-march-we-know-thou-art-kind-hearted-spite-of-ugly-looks-and/) [Helen Hunt Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-hunt-jackson/) > [I know April, May and June are a few unbearable months, and working out in a gym and sweating in such dirty hot, sticky,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashish-sharma/i-know-april-may-and-june-are-a-few-unbearable-months-and-working-out/) [Ashish Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashish-sharma/) > [Men are April when they woo, December when they wed...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/men-are-april-when-they-woo-december-when-they-wed/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [Oh, to be in England Now that April's there, And whoever wakes in England Sees, some morning, unaware.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-browning/oh-to-be-in-england-now-that-april-s-there-and-whoever-wakes-in/) [Robert Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-browning/) [Browse all 567 April quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/april/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I was slapped down to the ground when my son Wade died in 1996, in April of 1996.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John Edwards" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-edwards/i-was-slapped-down-to-the-ground-when-my-son-wade-died-in-1996-in/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "April" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-edwards/i-was-slapped-down-to-the-ground-when-my-son-wade-died-in-1996-in/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cce/john-edwards-18834_april_i-was-slapped-down-to-the-ground-when-my_2087391.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cce/john-edwards-18834_april_i-was-slapped-down-to-the-ground-when-my_2087391.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cce/john-edwards-18834_april_i-was-slapped-down-to-the-ground-when-my_2087391.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I was slapped down to the ground when my son Wade died in 1996, in April of 1996.” — John Edwards", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "John Edwards", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-edwards/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I was slapped down to the...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-edwards/i-was-slapped-down-to-the-ground-when-my-son-wade-died-in-1996-in/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-edwards/i-was-slapped-down-to-the-ground-when-my-son-wade-died-in-1996-in/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```