With all of this talk about the 640 million jackpot on tonight’s megamillion lottery, I have been thinking about all of the things I would want if I were to win. It’s fun to imagine new homes, travel, cloned Harleys and so on. But then I started to think of all of the things I want that I couldn’t have even if I won and I’m not sure it matters all that much. Here’s my list.
- Another 50 years. I know, people are living longer and longer, and maybe I’ll live to 100 and beyond, but odds aren’t good. Even if I do, how healthy and strong will those years be. I want 50 full, active, healthy years. How many millions would it take to get me those? While we’re at it, I don’t want any of my loved ones to die and leave me behind, either.
- The love of my life. I’m comfortable as a single woman, but that doesn’t mean I don’t wonder sometimes what life would be like if the right guy came along. Sure, if I had millions, I would probably find a man. But how would I ever be sure he wanted me and not the money. At least now, if I found someone, I would be confident that he loved me for me, not for the balance in my bank account.
- Peace. I know it’s a cliche, but you know what, I HATE war. I hate that people are killed and left maimed and starving. I hate that children are left without anyone to care for them. With enough money I could help alleviate the suffering, but as long as there is war, there is no end to the need. No amount of lottery winnings can fill that gap.
- Beauty. No amount of money would make me beautiful. I am not a good candidate for surgery so there’s nothing a good plastic surgeon could do for me and the one thing that 100% of all lottery winners do is gain weight – something I really can’t afford to do. Maybe I could hire physical trainers to whip me into shape and personal chefs to prepare healthy meals, but there’s only so much that can be done with what God gave me.
- Happiness. Talk about cliches – money can’t buy happiness, I know. But, it’s a cliche for a reason. It’s true. If you aren’t happy in your circumstances now, you won’t be happy as a megamillionaire. I am mostly happy now and I would be mostly happy if I won the lottery. But I would never be blissfully happy. I worry too much. I see things in shades of gray and I find the cloud behind the silver lining. It means that I don’t look for money to make me happy, though, so that’s a good thing. Not that I’d turn it down, because you never know.
So, that’s my list. What about yours?
