text: July | 2011 | The Wordsmythe's Weblog...
  £161 million and counting…
  Last week, a British couple won £161,653,000.00 in the Euromillions lottery making them Britain's biggest ever winners. After about a week of deliberations and deep thought, they decided to go public with their win as they didn't want to lie to their friends and family. Bad move! Just yesterday the media reported that the couple have gone into hiding to escape the avalanche of 'begging letters' which have since been pouring in.
  When it was announced that a single ticket had won that amount, Mo Cushla and I discussed what we would do if we won. Never mind the miniscule detail that we hadn't actually purchased a ticket so were not even remotely in with a real chance of winning!
  Undeterred, we apportioned, distributed, gave away, invested, set up trust funds, paid off debts and the children's private school fees, travelled the world, bought a bigger house, changed our cars, reapportioned, redistributed and still had loads of money left which we decided would be put in some deposit account and live off the interest. In all of the plotting and planning the spending of our millions of pounds we hadn't actually won, one thing we both agreed and were unequivocally convinced about was that we wouldn't go public with our win.
  How do you announce to the world that you are suddenly £166,000,000.00 richer and not expect to have people hound you for some of it? As sure as night follows day, you can expect to have a few hundred letters from people making their case as to why they, too, should be beneficiaries of your overnight windfall. After all, they reckon they are only asking for an infinitesimal part of your very large winnings.
  Much as I had dreamed and fantasized about being in possession of the Weirs winning ticket, I am thankful I am not in their shoes now. What a complete tragedy to have all that money but very little freedom to enjoy it in the way they deem fit! Sad indeed! I feel really sorry for them.
  However their experience further cements our resolve not to go public in the event that we find ourselves coming into a large sum of money. In the meantime, I hope things settle down for them soon so they can begin to enjoy all the possibilities that their winnings can open up for them.
  What would you do if you won lots of money? Go public? Keep it quiet?
  Posted in Uncategorized and tagged 161 million, postaweek2011
  …That last Sunday marked 46 years of my parents' marriage. Theirs is truly one made in heaven. They share a closeness that is so rare in today's highly divorce-prone society. Even when they disagree, you still get the feeling that they are on the same page. Growing up observing their relationship gave me a vivid picture of what I could aspire to and I'm glad that my marriage so closely mirrors theirs.
  …For my very active and verbally expressive sons. When I hear of children their age who are suffering from ill-health, starvation, poverty etc, I realise that it could so easily have been them. Even though I'm sorely driven to gag them sometimes, I am grateful that all their limbs work, that their senses are intact, that they have a voice and know how to use it and that they can articulate themselves and express their opinion.
  …For the special man God caused me to cross paths with 8 years ago and who remains the love of my life, my best friend and lover. He loves me too much to let me be content with mediocrity, he challenges and encourages me while patiently giving me room to grow and become all that I can be. He exasperates and frustrates me no end sometimes but the good far outweighs the bad so I really can't complain.
  …For friends, old and new, too numerous to mention by name, who love me 'despite and still'. They try to be there for me 'through sick and sin' encouraging and cheering me on, accepting me for who I am, warts and all.
  …For blogging as it has ushered me into a whole new world of writing and opened up countless possibilities. Amongst other things, it's helped me to become a part of a wonderful support group of like-minded writers. They critique my work with the empathy of people in the same boat and offer advice that is helping me become a much better writer.
  …For sisters, biological and social, who love me and whom I love dearly, with whom I can be silly without fear of being judged and laugh hysterically as we reminisce about our growing up years. We could be sitting across from each other in a crowded room but still manage to communicate with just a look.