“Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing must be attained.”
Marie Curie
Romance novels always stop at the beginning. The real adventure starts the day after“happily ever after.”
Marie (Maria) Sklodowska was brilliant and determined. Denied a university education based on the cultural norms of the late 1800’s, she pursued her studies at the local library and at Warsaw’s clandestine Floating University. She was a voracious reader and, as it turned out, a thrifty saver. In 1891, Marie used her hard-earned savings to move to Paris and study at the Sorbonne. It was there that she met the love of her life, Pierre Curie. A well-known and respected French chemist, he was impressed by Marie’s passion for science. He enticed her by offering her work in the laboratory where he was a director. They fell in love and married in 1895.
Pierre and Marie lived modestly, near poverty, using most of their funds for research. They were happy doing what their loved, together. Their success was remarkable. In 1898, Pierre and Marie discovered polonium and radium. In 1903, they won, with their fellow scientist Henri Becquerrel, a Nobel Prize for Physics for discovering radioactivity. When Pierre Curie died in a street accident in Paris on April 19, 1906, Marie promised to continue their work. She accepted his position at the Sorbonne, becoming the university’s first female teacher. In 1911, she was the first person to be awarded a second Nobel Prize, this time for Chemistry.
Pierre and Marie believed that their work belonged to the whole world. They refused to patent any of their lucrative discoveries and donated their gifts and awards to scientific institutions. Marie lived for almost 30 years after the death of her husband. Every day, she fulfilled the pledge to the one she loved.
“I have no dress except the one I wear every day. If you are going to be kind enough to give me one, please let it be practical and dark so that I can put it on afterwards to go to the laboratory.”
Marie Curie
Lady Budd 
Words we would like to speak and make them feel … “happily ever after”
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How true – we like to speak them so that they become our reality.
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😀 😀
That’s Clanmother. Hit the nail for once and for all. All our previous discussions are official closed from my end.
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It is always good to “hit the nail” but I hope that we will have many more dialogue going forward. 🙂 🙂
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Of course. We have our first closure and meaningful one. Looking forward and Thank you very much.
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Thank you!! Your presence and comments are much appreciated…
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Thank you for posting a lovely love story .
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I was about 14 years old when I first read about Pierre and Marie. I was heart-broken when I found out Pierre died so young.
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Thanks for reminding me about the remarkable Marie Curie.
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She was truly amazing. I just found out the that Curie family received 5 Nobel Prizes. Marie – 2 (1903/1911) Pierre Curie (1903), Their daughter Irene Joliot-Curie (1935) Their son-in-law Frederic Joliot-Curie (1935) Henry Labouisse, the husband of the Curies’ second daughter Eve received the Nobel Peace Prize for his work with UNICEF (1965) Quite a legacy.
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Gosh, that is incredible.
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I wonder what they discussed at the family dinner table…
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The possibility of microwave ovens?????
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I laughed out loud!! It is very possible…
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My husband worked for Unicef for 18 years and his immediate superior knew Henri Labouisse and spoke very highly of him.
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It truly is a small world….you made my day!!!
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Madam Curie is one of those Renaissance women that are so inspirational. A genius with such humility. Thanks for sharing her story.
Love what you did with the tulips. Beautiful ! Have a wonderful Valentine’s Day.
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Happy Valentine’s Day!! Our lives are blessed for having friends…thank you!
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Here’s something to give you a smile. After our conversation yesterday, I visited the depths of my bookshelves and found the book that introduced me, in detail, to the story of Marie Curie, “The Children’s Book of Famous Lives” edited by Eric Duthie. It was given to me as a prize for ……..a schools art competition when I was about 11 years old. I don’t remember what I drew! I had a great time re reading the story of Marie Curie. It’s a wonderful book. More importantly, the book reminds me of the incredible excitement of the first library in our town, probably about 1966 and the fact that as a youngster I was trusted to work as a volunteer in the library.
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What a remarkable narrative! A library, a book, a volunteer, a beginning, the past, knowledge, learning, excitement! I have goosebumps. Thank you so much for sharing. A true Valentine’s Day story.
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What an inspirational story. I didn’t know anything about their lives together and this brought them to life. Thanks for sharing.
I love the quote about the dress! A few words that give us such an insight into the personality of such a remarkable woman.
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The “dress” quote reminds me of what is really important!!
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What a remarkable discussion. Thanks to those who write history–especially to children. They have long and good memories.
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I agree! Thanks for joining the discussion.
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