September 27, 2023

How much is an umbrella worth?

Thanks to everyone who has replied to my hidden talents message!

Once the answers stop rolling in, I’ll share a compiled and anonymous list of our hidden talents.

In the meantime, here’s a classic “value is dependent on the context” situation from fellow list member Jason McCullough (shared with permission):

Hi Jonathan!

Lesson: I valued my wife’s and kids approval over the $80 worth of umbrellas.

I hope you’re doing well! I have a little story to share from our recent family trip to Disney over the fall break. Unfortunately, we had a bit of rain during our visit. My wife, myself, and our two young kids were at Disney Springs, an open-air Disney-themed mall. We were inside a movie theater when the sky opened up. With no ponchos or umbrellas, we were pretty stuck!

Just two doors away was this M&M store, so I dashed there in hopes of finding a poncho or an umbrella. They only had these mini M&M umbrellas, but they were $25 each! I needed three, but spending $80 on umbrellas didn’t sit well with me. However, returning empty-handed would have disappointed my family greatly. And, considering I was already soaked, I didn’t want to be wandering around aimlessly. Eventually, the joy of my family seemed worth more than the $80, so I bought them.

The kids loved their new umbrellas, and my wife was pleased. We even managed to make it back to the car relatively dry!

—Jason

Thanks, Jason!

Yours,

—J