Did you Win Powerball?

The line moved slowly. There were numerous people, bustling in and out of the store, things to do, errands to run, all on a time frame that seems too small for any given day. I stood in line, shifting my weight back and forth, almost patiently waiting to get to the cashier. The buzz around the customer service center was about the large $600 million Powerball that was about to be drawn that very evening.

I shuffled my items down the beltway toward the woman at the scanner. She smiled, asked if I found everything I needed. My reply to her, "Yes, thank you, but I need a winning Powerball ticket please. Make it four tickets, there are four of us at home."

The girl rang up my total, ran off my four chances at a blissful life, and handed them over with a smile and a wish of 'good luck'. The ticket was then unceremoniously folded with the receipt and placed in my clutch. As I walked out of the store, I began to think of what I would do with all of that money.

My first priority? I'd contact the only CPA that I've trusted. Invite him to fly down to Florida, meet with me, and offer him a 'full time' position working for me to take care of my vast sums of cash. He'd be needed, as I'd have too many 'friends' that haven't recalled my telephone number in years, calling me up and asking about my health.

Next? I'd set up trust funds for my kids. Certain amount every year ~ done. A stipend to be paid out to each set of parents, as well as each sibling ~ done. No 'going back to the trough'. I'd fix up my home, find a family that needs it, and give it to them. I'd buy a nice car (under $40k) that gets good gas, one for each of us. Then, I'd throw a great end of year party for the students at the grade school I work at. There would be enough to finance the completion of the 140 schools without Wi-Fi in the district. I'd set up a fund that would be specifically used for specialists for ESE and Gifted students for each school that has a need.

My next venture would be to fund shelters to take care of abandoned animals. Give them a home, medical care, and find permanent homes with loving families.

Lastly? I'd just find a nice couple of homes to buy. Nothing too big. Something a tad secluded. Hire a teacher full time for my kids, and find some local grocery store that wouldn't know who I was, so I could continue to grocery shop without problems.

My list, when it was done, included a number of friends, some that I haven't seen in years. Nothing too elaborate, but a year's salary to each sounded appropriate. After the list was tallied, the numbers crunched, I realized that I would be giving away 9/10ths of what the prize was to be. I'd be living a comfortable life, and as long as I was not a spendthrift with that 1/10ths, I'd be good until my final days.

I guess I didn't win tonight, but what a nice opportunity these few hours gave me to dream. I figure that it was OK that I didn't win. I was going to give most of it away anyways.