Winner

The single winner of the 1.75 billion dollar Powerball drawing this week was an individual who bought the ticket in a liquor store in north LA. I hope that person’s life will change in amazing ways.

My husband and I seldom play, but did buy tickets for the last three drawings as the jackpot grew. We have the same conversation each time we buy a ticket. We ask each other what we would do with the winnings and the answer is always the same—“we could change a lot of lives.” There really isn’t anything we are lacking or need for ourselves. I can’t fathom that level of wealth, which is probably why the Universe decided to give it to someone with more imagination.

I have a friend and ex-colleague who always says, “I won the lottery” when he speaks of his wife. Our older son, who many people see as having a hard life, said last night, “I won the lottery when it comes to family.” It made me think of all the ways that I “won the lottery” during my life time—my family, friends, opportunities, places I’ve seen, even the talents I’ve been given.

“Winning the lottery” for me never points to material things. A week ago we took a lake cruise with my husband’s brother and his wife. As we circled the lake and all the mansions built around the edge, I thought about the people who own those homes. The tour guide said that only 10 percent of the homes are actually occupied all year. Most serve as a summer getaway for a few weekends a year.

I think most people my age realized long ago that once you have the basics for survival, the rest just becomes something to maintain. I hope that the winner of this week’s Powerball jackpot, has the important things in life and the imagination to do some good for others with the winnings.