The Megamillions lottery jackpot is estimated to be one billion dollars. That's right - ONE BILLION DOLLARS!
The cash payout would be 565 million. Oh yes, winning that amount of money would change one's life.
Wednesday I purchased five Megamillions lottery tickets. This is the first time I've purchased a Megamillions lottery ticket. In the past I've purchased the Powerball tickets.
I don't play regularly anymore. I did when I first moved to Delaware and was carrying a $100,000 mortgage on our house. A thirty year mortgage that would be paid off until I was ninety five years old. Then I was buying six tickets a week. Most I ever won was $7.00. I still have that five inch stack of lottery tickets downstairs in my storage room just in case I win a lottery. I keep them as a reminder of the folly of purchasing lottery tickets.
But I have to tell you folks, the chance of winning a half a billion dollars was just too much to pass up. Not that I need the money, I don't. An inheritance from my Mother paid off my mortgage. I have everything I need, except maybe youth but I have everything else.
I have all the toys I need. I have loving and loved partner of fifty-four years, my Bill. I have a loving friend that I've looked for all my life, Pat. I have a great job to help pay for the extras like trips and more Apple toys. I have a perfect home and a lovely yard out back that satisfies all my green thumb needs.
So what would I do if I won all that money? Well, first I would set up million trust funds for all my immediate relatives; two brothers and twenty-two nieces and nephews (at last count, my brothers are very prolific even though I'm not at reproducing progeny). Then I would set up million trust funds for a select group of my friends. Yes, I would duplicate that fictional character of that Fifties TV show "The Millionaire". Many of you are probably too young to remember the name of that millionaire so I will inform you. His name was John Beresford Tipton.
Yes folks, that's what I would do if I won the Megamillions lottery jackpot, I would be the new millionaire who changes people's lives for the better. Note, no charities, individual people and trust funds, not a lump sum cash. And oh, I would treat myself of course. Say a nice home in West Hollywood. A getaway in Palm Springs. And a nice condo in Hamilton, Ontario Canada where my good buddy Pat lives.
Of course I doubt if I will win this lottery. The odds are just too great. But what playing the lottery is all about is buying dreams. Even though these tickets cost me $10, and I don't win, at least that $10 bought me dreams, even if for just a little while.
But you know what folks? I am convinced that before I check out I will win something big. Maybe not this one, but I will win. I have led a charmed life. And even if I don't win one of these lotteries, I consider I've already won life's lottery with Bill and Pat in my life.
UPDATE: I didn't win! The winning numbers were: 15 23 53 65 70 07*
The new estimated jackpot is 1.6 billion. Folks, that is TOO MUCH MONEY. I'm going to take a pass on this one, maybe.
