My parents are intellectuals both big on giving us opportunities. My dad was a major geek before computers were in every home but never programmed one or used

My parents are intellectuals both big on giving us opportunities. My dad was a major geek before computers were in every home but never programmed one or used one until he made one available for us. Before that he worked in a building where telephone switchboards were being operated. There he used a combination of Telex machines, morse code "beepers", voice radios and Minitel to help manage a sea port and handle emergencies when one arose. He learned multiple languages during long night shifts talking with radio operators aboard ships in and near the harbour. At the time of retirement there were no computers in his office (save for arguably the Minitel). One Christmas a few years before his retirement he brought home a Tandy 1000EX. We couldn't really afford it so we had to cut elsewhere but my parents knew that it'd be handy for us and they were right. We were one of the first families in the city with one and it helped shape my understanding of the world in ways I couldn't fathom at the time. I'm glad my parents did the sacrifice.