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Back in the old days I taught at college. It was during this time that I took a keen interest in the education of my sibling's children.
I would get them various toys I felt were educational, built them a jamming (at that time) computer, added an inkjet printer, and installed all manner of software.
I also picked the two most academically spirited for subscriptions to National Geographic which I maintained for a great number of years.
I believe it was 10 or so years apiece for the two girls. The boy troglodyte relatives never impressed me with a willingness to study ... or even attempted to express anything intelligent at all.
I only hope it assisted them along their pathway of personal growth. At this juncture one is a school teacher and the other is a grants program manager for the University from which she graduated. These are not what I personally consider to be adequate outcomes. Perhaps my wishes for their careers was quite a bit too lofty.
Today is National Geographic Day. It is a January 27 happening in the United States.
This day pays homage to "National Geographic Magazine" that publication which has been in print for over a century and covers a wide range of topical data from science, geography, history, and international culture.
I did the subscription thing due to my attraction to the magazine in grade school. I used to love to peruse each magazine from cover to cover. It is a historical and anthropological smorgasboard of interest facts, figures, and illustrations.
I am sorry to say that neither of those nieces who received the subscriptions remember them or anything else I tried to do to enhance their educations. Luckily, I am left feeling that it didn't matter anyway.
It's a sad tale, but true. All too often we forget those who were in our corner at those critical junctures which made the difference for us personally.