Raleigh, N.C. — The women of Meredith College turned their tassels Sunday after hearing words of wisdom from Elizabeth Edwards.

Edwards said she considered walking amongst the 2007 graduates of Meredith to be an honor.

“I went to a women's college,” Edwards said. “I know the bonds that they've formed over the years they've been here.”

Edwards told the graduates, the speech she delivering is much different from the one she drafted when she first got the invitation months ago. Back in March, with husband and former senator John Edwards at her side, she announced her cancer had returned.

“I had goals and activities (after the diagnosis),” Elizabeth Edwards said.

She used her speech and her life as a lesson for the graduates as they prepare for the future.

“You're young,” she said. “Maybe there'll be time for a do-over if you don't get it right the first time. But there are no guarantees. There will come a time as it has for me when there's no time for a do-over.”

Elizabeth Edwards said she was touched by the pink ribbons the graduates wore on their robe. The graduates said they were touched by her words.

“It's very inspirational,” said graduate Lindsay Barber.

“I will sit home and think about what she said,” said graduate Khisha Bullock.

Elizabeth Edwards told the graduates to live their lives and each day with a purpose.

“To recognize at 21, 23, 25, or 55 what I realized at 57, and even then under duress, what we do how we do it, does define us,” she said.

After the graduation, Elizabeth Edwards spent the remainder of Mother's Day with her mother and the rest of her family. She said she’ll then leave for New Hampshire to rejoin her husband on the campaign trail.