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Freebies


<< <<  Each  has treated me with professionalism and in some cases outright
 kindness
  (including some freebies). >>
 
 Ahh... another recipient of the "freebie,"  you and Stuart  seem to have a
lot
 in common! >>

Ahhh, the sound of a cheap shot ringing through cyberspace. Always a pleasure.

Sorry if "freebie" is a dirty word, but feel free to substitute "gift" or
"donation" or "gesture of support" if you find them more palatable. 

For the record, my particular "freebie" was sent to me, unrequested, in the
sincere hope it would help me with my science outreach work in schools, and to
allow kids to see and hold a variety of meteorites. And yes, I said "hold",
because I know all the advice about natural oils etc being damaging to them,
but I collect meteorites to share with people, especially kids, and let them
experience what it's like to hold something special. Of course I let them hold
them! 

So, even though it might cause some to sneer, I have no qualms about accepting
such "freebies" because they're being used, and not just collected as
ornaments or investments. A lot of the kids in this rural area are from very
poor families, and they never get the opportunity to travel to museums to see
even the most common science exhibits you and I take for granted. So, as far
as meteorites are concerned, in my part of the country if kids don't see mine
they don't see *any*.   

I only have a small collection of meteorites, but have a big filing cabinet
drawer full of letters and drawings sent to me by kids thanking me for letting
them hold my meteorites (or "meatyrites" !) so I'll take the sneers with a
pinch of salt and a smile, because next week I'm talking to a class of 35 7
year olds, and when I come out I'll feel great, the kids will feel great, and
I'll be fired up about my collection all over again. And that evening I'll
probably be stopped in the supermarket and hear from a mum or dad how much
their child enjoyed getting to hold "that stone from space", and I'll smile at
that. And if the cost of that smile is accepting "freebies" from people better
off than myself, if the charge for making those kids smile is being sneered at
for accepting the generosity of others then fine, because although I don't
have a fraction of the number of specimens as the majority of the people on
this List I have a letter here from a little girl called Amy, with a crayon
drawing of her holding a piece of rock, above the words "Thank you!" and a
huge "X". 

There are thousands of meteorites out there. But only one smiling Amy.

Good night List, wherever you are...

Stuart



 

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