Invaluable Losses: How Things Become Priceless

The story of my yo-yo serves as a poignant reminder of the things we often take for granted until they are lost or damaged. My favorite yo-yo is more than just a toy; it's a companion, an escape, and an entertainer. Whenever I'm entertained by the yo-yo, time seems to fly by without me even noticing. However, this cherished toy holds a special place in my heart, especially when it's lost or damaged, making its value much greater than what it was before.

Yo-Yo's Unlikely Name

The phrase "Never a blind moment!" is a play on words, highlighting the companionship the yo-yo brings. It also reflects my self-reflection and the moments of introspection that often occur with such a simple yet engaging toy. The yo-yo might have a hold on me, threading my thoughts and actions, sometimes almost binding me in a reverie of pure enjoyment. Even when I'm feeling sleepy or lost in thought, it finds a way to captivate me.

A Harsh Realization: Leaving Behind

Unfortunately, I must leave this treasured yo-yo behind, a bittersweet realization that I face in the realms of both physical and virtual worlds. Just as my writing projects have been reborn from initial fiascos, I too must prepare to transition from one phase to another, leaving behind the familiar and embarking on the unknown.

Lessons from Technology: Losing Valuable Work

The early days of electronic devices were fraught with challenges. I often lost hours of coherent work due to inconveniences like power outages, hard drive crashes, and other technical malfunctions. Each time this happened, my lost words would gain an almost supernatural importance in my mind. These lost words were supposed to be the opening stanzas of my Paradise Lost or the initial paragraphs of my War and Peace.

From Waste to Wealth: Taconite's Triumph

Another example of something that gained in value is taconite, a mineral found in northeast Minnesota. Initially, taconite was considered a useless waste product of iron mining. However, once people figured out how to process it, its value skyrocketed. Taconite went from being worthless to being a valuable resource, turning lives around and changing fortunes.

A Millionaire's Mansion: The Glensheen Story

This transition is vividly illustrated in the story of Chester Adgate Congdon, who owned cheap, un-farmable but taconite-rich land. Once this land's valuable resource was discovered, Congdon's property became incredibly valuable, and in 1905, he built an 854,000 mansion, equivalent to 21 million dollars today. Today, this grand estate, known as the Glensheen Mansion, is owned by the university and is open for tours. This transformation from waste to wealth is a testament to how sometimes valuable resources can be identified and turned into significant assets.

These stories remind us that value is often conferred through loss or discovery. The value of a yo-yo, a yo-yo's writing, or the taconite in the Glensheen Mansion's land all highlight the intricacies of how value is perceived and appreciated. Each of these examples offers a unique perspective on the dual nature of value: the existence of something and the moment at which it is lost.