As a seven year old I was a member of my schools philately club. I could buy mixed bags for 20p each, the local police superintendent was a very knowledgeable member as well. I would talk about stamps and countries with my fellow members, it was wonderful.

After leaving primary school I kept collecting, but slowed down as a teenager.

Then as an adult I got serious again. I visited a few philately shops to buy the missing pieces in my UK and Ireland stamp collections. The owners were totally disinterested. They were more interested in knowing about what I had. I did have some very rare stamps, worth about 4-figures. I didn't want to part with them because family members gave them to me. But the way those dealers were obsessed with money over simple enjoyment bothered me.

Some people care about the enjoyment more than the money.