“I am among those who think that science has great beauty. A scientist in his laboratory is not only a technician: he is also a child placed before natural phenomena which impress him like a fairy tale.” (Said Marie Curie, and thanks to the Quotations Page for this quote.)
Long before Harry Potter, I spent many happy hours reading my way systematically through the entire “Fairy Tales” bookcase in the Manchester, NH public library. That science could be lovely was something I never imagined, although I do remember one family gathering in our late-night back yard, when we waited with wonder for tiny bright Sputnik to swing through the familiar starfield.
Growing older is great when it adds to our enchantments!