There’s been much media “hoopla” lately over the big New York Lottery. There’s buzz everywhere…the grocery store, the parent pick-up line at school, and of course, all over the news. I’ve never been a lottery player. I’m not a negative-Nelly, but it’s always seemed to me a waste of money, because the odds of winning are miniscule. (I prefer to think of myself as sensible. I’d rather take that $5.00 and buy a magazine or a couple packets of seeds for the garden). But, when you hear of someone winning, whose life is gonna drastically change, you can’t help but wonder, “What would I do if it were me?”
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Nicole, you are right. Many of us may never win a Lotto, yet we can pay it forward, in small ways perhaps, but over a lifetime, well, that turns out not to be so small after all. Bless you in your paying it forward as you are lead. Blessings & Hugs
Norma, Thank you for pointing that out…what a beautiful sentiment. I never looked at it that way before, but it’s so true! Thank you for reading and commenting. Farmgirl hugs back at ya! Nicole
I’ve thought about this for years and I don’t even play the lottery. However, I too would support animal rights groups and the Humane Society so people would need to have a lottery to adopt the few animals that were left. Imagine every animal with a forever home! Also, I would ask my local PBS station what their annual operating budget is and write a check so they would not need to raise funds. I would fund women’s shelters and veterans services; gardens at every school that the students would plant, care for and harvest (every child needs to bite into a warm tomato s/he grew); teach every child 10 recipes before high school (per Jamie Oliver’s program); raise the salary of every teacher so s/he never has to fund school supplies; insure that every cancer patient has the care s/he needs (since I just finished radiation, this is personal to me); fund field trips from schools to city, county, regional, state and national parks (get the kids outside); fund nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities so seniors can be lovingly cared for there or visited at home by nurses (enabling them to live in their own homes); too many more to list. It’s a good start.
Wow! Adrienne, that is an impressive list. What a big, sweet heart you have (and such AWESOME ideas). Thank you for sharing. I also hope that you are feeling better and get stronger every day! Farmgirl Hugs! Nicole
Oh Nicole, As always your blog catches my attention and holds it. I think we all had a day or two of "dreaming" what we would do if we won the money! LOL. We had a pool at work, and my boss even matched it- so we had over $200 in tickets (needless to say we didn’t win). But as the days leading up to the big drawings came and went, all I could think of was what an insane amount of money that was, and how much I hoped that LOTS of people won it. Of course I wouldn’t mind being "comfortable" in life financially, but I think that money is, unfortunately, something that changes people, and not always for the better. I hope that the "3" winners of that money do alot of good with it, not just for themselves, but for others around them- perhaps even strangers. Paying it foward will make their lives richer than any amount of money ever could. Farmgirl Hugs, Laurie, Farmgirl Sister#1403
Laurie, isn’t that the truth…a rich life is when you do for others, for sure! Thank you for reading and commenting! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Hi Nicole, It’s your farmgirl sister in Indiana, have I told you lately I really, really enjoy your blogs (you’re my favorite!) Ahh, the lottery, like you I do not play, BUT if I did and I won, I have always fantasized about doing good in this life! Why not leave the hard working waitress who does an awesome job a $100.00 tip, how about paying for the person behind you at the grocery store, etc. etc. About once a week I change the water in my windowsill glass and when I do I change the color, it’s a fresh look for no money, hope your daughter is enjoying hers as much as I enjoy mine!!
Hi Patricia! You are too kind! Thank you! I am so glad you enjoy my blog. I enjoy hearing from everyone – it means so much. Love your comment. Such awesome ways to make someone’s day in a big way.
We are still loving your colored water idea, too. Such a neat thing to do, and does look very cool with the sun coming through. My daughter’s window gets a good amount of sun, and she has delighted in the colored ‘prisms’ that have come in through the sunbeams at different times of day. Big hugs to you, dear farmsister. Hope you have a wonderful week. Nicole
I love your ideas about helping others. I have thought about it and I would help my family first and then reach out to others. When I have noticed an elderly person in the market checkout line behind me, I would write my check over the amount I owed and tell the checker to give the remaining money to the elderly person in my line. Then I would quickly grab my children and hurry out of the store. It is wonderful when we can bless someone else as we have been blessed.
Oh, Jeanne, what a wonderful thing you have done! I love that! I am sure the person behind you in the checkout line was so amazed and grateful. Hugs to you! Nicole