The wonder of nature

Here's a rather heart-warming story in the CMS Times today:

http://cms.web.cern.ch/cms/Media/Publications/CMStimes/2011/09_05/index.html

The "Make-A-Wish" foundation recently gave a wish to a 16-year-old named Marcus from Great Britain, who was fighting a brain tumor and whose love of physics helped him to make it through.

I found this especially poignant. People often say that science and nature are not capable of sustaining people's "emotional interests" the way that (for instance) religion is. However, when it came down to brass tacks, for this young man when it came to do just one thing that may or may not be the most meaningful thing in his life, he chose to visit CERN and learn about physics. He didn't decide to visit the Vatican, or a creationist museum to see robotic paleolithic children riding dinosaurs. He chose to learn about nature, and had one of the most inspiring experiences of his life.


His mother Penny stated:

“If someone asked Marcus what has been the most memorable moment in his life so far, he'd say going to CERN. His wish will be something he'll always remember.”

I share Marcus's wonder. I hope you do too.