After a very long and circuitous 56 mile trip to eight different gas stations, convenience and grocery stores, and many minutes spent waiting in lines, I now hold the winning Mega Millions ticket in my hands. I used a combination of methods to choose my numbers, including finally cracking open my Gerard Butler fortune cookie - I managed to break the cookie and see the numbers without even opening the package!
First off, I could not believe the lines and the amount of people clamoring for tickets. It was insane, even in my remote rural area, but unlike my past experiences in large metropolitan areas, most in line spent the time chatting, laughing, promising to share their winnings, buy a few rounds of drinks, etc. I get a lot more sense of community in this place, where homes are typically at least a half mile apart, than I ever did when living in the midst of several million people.
Many had never played, many needed help filling out the form to get their “own” numbers chosen, but everyone was patient and helpful. Made me start doing the math in my head figuring out what a nice surprise would be for the members of my small town to find in their mail box after I won. $1,000? $10,000? I would maintain my current home, but would also investigate the possibility of buying my own private island.
The first thing I am doing though, is going into hiding. If you don't hear from me after the drawing, you'll know why!
