Rambling on about Dreams, Family, and Giving…

It’s a game my sister and I played often: “What if I won the lottery?” The question is more than a passing thought—it’s a hopeful whisper that drifts through my mind every now and then, as persistent as the jingling melody of hope itself. Sometimes, when the lottery calls out to me, I hear my daddy’s voice: “If you don’t play, you can’t win.” He’d say it every Friday as he left to buy his ticket. He never hit the jackpot, but every so often, he’d win a few bucks. I’ve had my own small wins, enough to keep the dream alive.

I tell myself that a few dollars spent chasing the dream is okay. I don’t smoke, drink, or do drugs, so splurging on a ticket feels harmless. Whether I snag the big win or not, it’s the plans that keep my imagination busy. The “what if” is always there, waiting for me to scribble out my dreams.

If I truly won the lottery, the kind of win that flips your world upside down, the very first thing I’d do is keep it under wraps. I wouldn’t tell a soul until I figured out what I wanted to do and how to do it. Secrecy would be my shield, protecting those first moments of disbelief and delight. Then, I’d rent a limousine to take me to pick up my check. I imagine rolling up to the lottery office in style, heart pounding, grinning like a fool. After that, I’d treat myself to a couple of nights in a plush hotel, room service at my fingertips, just basking in the glow of possibility. I’d need that quiet to think, to breathe, to savor before the world catches wind.

Of course, I know what’s coming: the flood of people wanting to see what I’ll do, what I’ll give. The phone calls, the letters, the pleas. It’s inevitable, so I’d take my time, make a plan, and set boundaries.

With all that new freedom, I’d begin searching for a place that suits me—a stretch of country peace that feels like home. I’d want a quiet house, surrounded by green, somewhere I could breathe deep and feel safe.

But the dream isn’t just about me. I’ve always wanted to give back, especially to causes close to my heart. I’d donate to organizations that help women and children escaping domestic violence, places that offer safety and hope. I’d support animal rescues, too, and maybe even open spay and neuter clinics that run on low or no pay, so more animals could be spared from abuse and abandonment. That kind of giving feels right—real change for those who need it most.

Family would get their share, but not in piles of cash. I’d set up trusts and gift property, making sure what I give is meaningful and protected. I know how it goes: win the lottery and suddenly everyone expects you to handle their problems. I’d want my gifts to help, not harm. Careful planning would be my way of looking out for the ones I love.

But what I long for most—what the dream at its heart is about—is the freedom to roam, to see, to experience. I’d travel with my kid sister by my side. Ireland, England, France, Italy, Spain. Later, Canada and Alaska. I imagine owning a motorhome, driving across the country, exploring the corners of America with no rush and no worries.

I’ve reached a place in my life where things don’t matter as much as moments do. So, if I won the lottery, I wouldn’t chase stuff, I’d chase sunsets, stories, and shared laughter. I’d focus on being present, seeing the world, and giving in ways that matter.

The lottery may be a game of chance, but dreaming what I’d do if I won is a game of hope, a way to imagine a life lived fully, for myself and for others. “What if?” is more than a question, it’s a window into what I value most..  family, freedom, kindness, and the joy of giving back.