The Powerball jackpot is up to 1.8 billion dollars. It may grow even bigger by the time of the drawing tonight. 1.9 Billion, or maybe even 2 billion.
I broke down and bought a ticket.
Now, given the fact that I would take the lump sum, and with taxes, the actually amount I could receive would decrease. One estimate for my state is about 450 million dollars.
What would I do if I won? After all, the odds are about 1 in 300 million, so you never know.
First, the prize would be divided five ways. My wife and my three daughters and I would each get a share. So my share would come to about 90 million.
One thing I’d do with my share is increase the amount I donate to the charities I currently donate to, places like my church, Focus Pregnancy Help Center, the Margaret Home (for women facing unexpected pregnancies), St. Peter’s Soup Kitchen, Saint Luke Productions, St. John Bosco Schools, Chesterton Academy, Restore Health and Wellness, Brightstar Community (women escaping human trafficking), and so on.
Given our ages and infirmities, I’d buy a house that better suits our needs and limitations - one floor (no hauling laundry to the basement!), a library/study for me so I can put all the books in boxes up on shelves, a music room where I can listen or play my instruments without disturbing anyone.
I’d get a new computer. I’m currently typing this on a 2010 laptop with Windows 7!
There are a few places I’d like to visit, especially Donegal and Scotland because of my roots, and Fatima and Lourdes (where some of those previously mentioned infirmities might find some help).
I’d buy a better Santa outfit.
I’d book time in a recording studio and record some of my songs while I can still sing and arthritis isn’t interfering with my guitar playing yet.
I’d self-publish a couple of my poetry books, and a collection of my Christmas stories. Christmas gifts!
That’s about it. I’d just bank the rest.
I wouldn’t buy an emu, a monkey, or John Merrick’s bones.
But I would still eat macaroni and cheese.
And I wouldn’t have to buy my wife’s love. Nor she mine.
So I’m already rich.
Pax et bonum
