I thought for sure we would would the $1 Billion Mega Millions jackpot. My wife bought 20 tickets and already had the money spent. I did not buy in, so I had no winning or losing numbers. However, on her behalf, I’m sorry we won’t be able to honor her charitable generosity. Almost everyone, from family to realtors to retailers, would have benefited from her windfall. She would have made a great winner, but as it happened no one won. Is her destiny to win next week’s 1.6 Billion instead?

I’m not much a believer in Lottery winnings, but I clearly understand that “if you don’t play you can’t win.” However, I have played and haven’t won too many times. I often wonder what it takes to win, as others around me claim their prizes? I did win 50 Marriott points (the equivalent of 45 cents) this morning in their “29 Ways to Win” brand game, but this is hardly comparable to $1 Billion, let alone $1.6. Who wins that kind of jack and how do they justify their good fortune?

The world lost a Billionaire this week, Paul Allen, who “earned” his fortune by co-founding Microsoft. Was he just smarter than all the rest of us? Or was there an element of destiny in his life cards? He was very generous with his money. Will the next Billionaire, who joins this exclusive club of the “well-to-do” through luck alone, be as worthy? Personally, I just don’t think it’s fair to be given that amount of wealth and power. We all dream about it, but does that fantasy turn into a nightmare, as reality sets in? When you win a jackpot do you “earn” it?

I suppose it’s no different than digging for gold. Some were fortunate to find it, while others died penniless. Why does one man succeed, while another man fails? Will of a God? Destiny? Smarts? The fact of the matter is that someone has to win. Why can’t that someone be you or me or my wife? Is there really a deserving winner of a Lottery? When I think of that word, the first thing that comes to mind is the Vietnam War. I was fortunate in that lottery of birthdays, but many of my classmates may have lost their lives because they weren’t as lucky. Roman Emperor Augustus Caesar is credited for organizing the first Lottery involving tickets for sale, when he needed to fund repairs in the city of Rome. This is similar to how today’s lotteries benefit education, certainly a worthy cause. However, the Romans were also know for Decimation, a lottery that determined life or death. 

According to statistics, 44% of Lottery winners go broke within 5 years. Those that survive the “emotional pain” of how to spread the generosity, as others ask for a share of their fortune, are forced to keep low profiles. Many accept their prizes without ceremony to avoid attention. I’m sure it was difficult for a man like Paul Allen to make such decisions when his great wealth was public knowledge. At least it took years for him to earn it, so he could learn how to manage it. Imagine 1.6 Billion dumped in your lap? I’d certainly run for cover. Almost every contribution would need to be anonymous, otherwise word would spread like wildfire. It takes a special person to give without receiving praise of some sort. It might not even be rewarding, just a heavy responsibility, as guilt would eventually overcome selfish purchases.

I figure that I won the Lottery, just to be born healthy. Also, to have been adopted into a family of means and generosity, who accepted me as their own, and provided me with every opportunity to be successful. I couldn’t possibly have gotten any luckier in life. I’ve raised a family of my own, and have been blessed with good health and longevity, something that others like Paul Allen couldn’t win or buy. I’m also fortunate to share the retired life with a loving life who believes she can win the Lottery. What she’s really asking for is to be as old as I am, so she too can retire, when she should just appreciate that her career is still on the rise. When I consider the oppressed, terminally ill, homeless, disabled, bankrupt, widowed, sick, injured, handicapped, crime-victims, lonely, and elderly, I’m so fortunate to not be in their unfortunate situations. The bottom line is that while others are counting their money, I’ll count my blessings?