The unending paradox is that we do learn through pain.

Author Madeleine L’Engle continues to find new readers every day with her enduringly popular "A Wrinkle in Time" series, in addition to her other young adult books, nonfiction writing, and poetry. The line above comes from her 1972 essay, "Walking on Water: Reflections on Faith and Art," following this comforting sentiment: “It is chastening to realize that those who have no physical flaw, who move through life in step with their peers, who are bright and beautiful, seldom become artists.” Although L’Engle’s characters go through grief and loss, they are able to find more strength by connecting with others through their pain. L’Engle’s work has endured because she taps into the essential need we all have to feel less alone.