Martha shares a quote from author Madeleine L’Engle about how growing up means accepting vulnerability. This is part of a complete episode.
Transcript of “Madeleine L’Engle Quote”
I had a terrific time addressing the California Association of Teachers of English this year at their state convention, and I came across a quotation there that I really liked from Madeline L’Engle, who of course wrote A Wrinkle in Time. She wrote,
“When we were children, we used to think that when we were grown up, we would no longer be vulnerable.
But to grow up is to accept vulnerability.
To be alive is to be vulnerable.”
And I thought that that was such a great message to give to teachers who are teaching kids that once you grow up, you’re still, you’re even more vulnerable.
It’s like you don’t achieve invulnerability.
That’s right.
I find that with my own son.
He thinks it will all be solved when he’s a grown man and has his own apartments and his own job and his own life.
And yet every day we tell him that in a thousand small ways.
It’s okay to be vulnerable.
And that’s a part of being human.
And you will learn to deal with the vulnerability.
And you will use it to be an emotional, responsive person who reacts to the world in a kind, considerate way.
It’s a good thing.
Yeah, it’s a good thing.
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