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Like thousands of others across the country, I had big dreams of winning the Powerball last week. I usually don't buy into the hype, but I told my significant other, Jamie, "what if the winning ticket was sold at this Kwik Trip? We'd really be kicking ourselves!"
So we bought a couple and I was feeling really good about them. The number 27 showed up in the first pick - I'm turning 27 this year on April 27 so I felt a little lucky! But alas, no winner was found on Saturday so the lottery dreams continue on...
I asked several people what they would do if they won the $1.3 billion lottery jackpot. Jamie and I had similar asperations: paying off our student loans, buying a place big enough for the two of us and our two cats, buying a more reliable vehicle. I added that I would donate some money to several area school districts, as the fight for funding continues.
I asked my sister, Gina, a nurse at Mendota Mental Health in Madison, what she would do with her winnings. Like us, she would pay off her debts, find a nice home, etc. She too would donate money, something to help those with mental illness.
I asked my co-worker, Shelly, what she would do if she won. She would pay off her house, but also said she would build and dedicate a ball field somewhere in Dodgeville. She said she would love to surprise someone who was down on their luck too.
I can't say I was surprised to hear that a lot of the people I asked wouldn't keep all the money for themselves. I know there is good in each of our communities, and the drive to do something good prevails often.
Someone's life will be changed forever Wednesday night...I'd like to think they would have similar feelings about doing something good for their community too.