A moment of silence for Madeleine L'Engle

I just found out through a link sent to me by a friend (http://www.boingboing.net/2007/09/07/rip-author-madeleine.html) that Madeleine L'Engle passed away yesterday, at the age of 88, of natural causes. In part this is a joyous occasion, her faith in God is well known, and I am sure that she is with Him now, in a better place. However, I am also saddened greatly by the news.

As so many others, L'Engle's time series, and particularly A Wrinkle in Time, helped me get through my youth. In fact I still turn to the book when life just gets to be too much to handle, so I can spend some quality time with my life long friend Meg Murray and her family. According to the interview on my copy of the book on audio CD, A Wrinkle in Time was almost never published. L'Engle used to tell the story to her children as she was writing it, and publishers were concerned that it was both too advanced for children, and too frightening. However, her children loved it and encouraged her to continue with it. I am so glad that they did, and so glad that she had more faith in children than is often found.

I like to share the book with everyone, but particularly with young women who are a little "too bright", a little "too geeky", and just a little "too different" to have an easy time in childhood. Maybe it is because I empathize with them, but though childhood (particularly middle school) is difficult for everyone, I think it may be particularly difficult for these girls. Trying to make sense of not only who they are, and how it fits into the world, but also trying to determine whether to be proud or ashamed of special gifts and skills they may have, and how much to let the world in on them. Maybe this is an experience everyone has, even the "normal" (whatever that is) kids. I can only base things on my experiences and observations though.

Even though I grew up in a family of strong (OK, VERY strong women :) ) having a book where the main character was more similar in age, and didn't have it together, but still prevailed was priceless. The concept that not only did she win intellectually, but actually "got the boy" by being herself was also extraordinary! Though I didn't have the necessarily same kind of genius sibling, or fights after school, I still felt like she and I were, as Anne of Green Gables would say "bosom buddies". I wish there were more models for young women like this, sharing that it is being yourself, in all your imperfect wonderful-ness, that really makes life worth living, successful and rewarding.

I will say quiet prayers for Ms. L'Engle, and her family, for peace, and comfort in what I am sure is a difficult time for them. I also hope that they can garner some comfort from the incredible impact their loved one made on so many. I may even carve out some time to visit with the Murrays, and say my private goodbyes in the world of L'Engles own making, where a part of her will reside as long as there are readers in the world.

Thank you Madeleine, for living a passionate life, and for sharing some of yourself with me.