Monday, August 18, 2003

If this is true, this is a first for me. I know a millionaire lottery winner. One of the kids I coach told me today at school that his mother had won $15 million this summer. He's a  trustworthy kid as much as I know him, and he was so genuine and matter of fact about it that I don't see why he would be making it up. And he said things like "I don't feel rich, though, I don't feel any different." Now isn't that a great quote for a moral lesson to belie our culture's obsession with wealth? A working class inner-city family hits the jackpot and becomes millionaires, an instant rags to riches story. Everyone's dream. But how much does this young man's simple comment powerfuly convey that happiness does not indeed come from riches. That the American dream of becoming rich and living the good life is but an empty deception. It doesn't deliver on it's promise of "happiness." I don't know how this family is handling this radical change in their life, but I say good for them. I have the feeling that this is a reponsible family who probably was not one of those who, like so many among our working poor, put this great hope on their numbers hitting. I have a feeling they will take it with humility and a sense of responsibility to be grateful that they received it and use it wisely and for good purposes. Now, is the lottery a just thing? That's a whole nother ballgame... 8:55:30 PM    comment []