One of my favorite scenes in A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle is at the end when (spoiler) Meg saves Charles Wallace from IT, the evil force controlling the planet Camazotz. The only preparation she receives is the knowledge that she has something IT doesn’t have that she can use to save her brother. As she stands in IT’s presence, she realizes that unlike IT, she has the ability to love. She turns the force of this love onto her brother, who is trapped and controlled by IT (and being rather rude to her):
Tears were streaming down her cheeks, but she was unaware of them…
I love you. Charles Wallace, you are my darling and my dear and the light of my life and the treasure of my heart. I love you. I love you. I love you.
What stays with me is how this scene captures the intensity of her love and its open expression. It feels very vulnerable to share this deeply with someone else how you really feel about them. One of the things I learned living with roommates is how to be a braver communicator. I find it takes a surprising level of bravery to express love.
Is that your experience?
