I turned 34 recently and I feel that my collecting NOW is the childhood I never really had growing up. I often wonder had I gotten the many desires when I was young, maybe I would have shed the interest of collectibles past and present? I don't mean being spoiled rotten at all (though one can dream), I'm just stating that due to events in my past as a kid I feel that those events denied me the TF's I could've had.
I'm married now with no kids yet, but I imagine myself with my kid going to the toy section and seeing the reaction
from my kid on that one new toy they wanted. That is me in my mind everytime I get the newest TF into my collection or just going through my collection I still get those feelings! Hell I may have to bribe the kid and say "I will buy you a new toy if you don't tell mom about dad's new toy okay?". Small price to pay to continue to do what it is you love.
We as fans and TF collectors are a part of something that has been around for more than 20 years! That being said we can choose to keep it or share it but no matter how we choose it's ours, some have their Hot Wheels and some have Barbies. TF's will be here after I'm gone I think but here we are and here I am a collector then and a collector NOW...'nuff said!