He married the violinist and composer Claire Delbos also in 1932. Their marriage inspired him to both compose works for her to play ("Thème et variations" for violin and piano in the year they were married) and to write pieces to celebrate their domestic happiness, including the song cycle "Poèmes pour Mi" in 1936, which he orchestrated in 1937. "Mi" was Messiaen's affectionate nickname for his wife. In 1937 their son Pascal was born. The marriage turned to tragedy when Delbos lost her memory after an operation towards the end of World War II. She spent the rest of her life in mental institutions.