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On winning the lottery

Mike McLellan

Many of us are happy for David Sneath, of Livonia, Minn. At age 60, he is going back to school to finish his bachelor’s degree. He is just a few units shy. He also plans to do some fishing.

Sneath won $136 million in the Mega Millions Lottery. He actually will only get $59.6 million after taxes, and he is sharing his winnings with friends and family. He says he does not need the whole amount.

It does not seem like it could happen to a nicer guy, though he is described as a “character.” In a way, we are all characters.

It would be hard for me to spend $59.6 million. I am pretty sure I could give it away. I already know where I’d start. But it seems like a lot to spend.

When my wife and children ask me what I want for my birthday or for Christmas, I can hardly come up with anything. At one time, I wanted a boat, but I don’t think I want that anymore. I’d like a new car, but as I have said, I really don’t need one. We like our house. It’s not all that big, but we have two bathrooms, and my wife says she will not have a house where you have to clean more than two bathrooms.

My family gets a little sore at me when I say there is nothing I want. They say I am hard to buy for, and that is pretty much the truth. I really do not have a wish list.

My closet is full of nice clothing my family has bought for me. I use it all, but it isn’t wearing out very fast.

A trip might be nice, but we have been thinking of places we would like to go and have not decided on one. If I were younger, I might spend a few months in Europe seeing Florence, Vienna, the Baltics and the Alps. I have always wanted to go to the Dolomites in Italy. It would be nice to see the United Kingdom again. I get tired after an hour walking around Wal-Mart, however, so I am a little afraid to tackle Belgium.

I have lots of new underwear and socks. I suppose that my walking shoes need replacing, but it is hard to find shoes that fit me as well as my present ones do.

I am happy for Sneath and his friends and family. He knows exactly what he wants to buy. He has his eye on a couple of boats and a new house. He is even giving some money to his ex-wife, which I think is noble.

My present wife deserves some things, and I imagine I’d share, this being a community-property state and everything.

Sneath quit his job as soon as he found out he won the money. Being retired, I think I might start a business to be busier, although giving the money away might be hard work. Do nice things for people and they do nice things for you — it could get to be a full-time job.

We have all heard stories of people winning the lottery and losing it all or spending it foolishly.

Most of us use that as a way of making ourselves feel better when we lose. Losing is what a large number of us do when we play the lottery.

Our governor thinks it is a good idea to borrow the proceeds from the lottery and spend it on California’s bills. He probably knows what he would do if he won the lottery. How many Hummers does one person need? I, for one, do not need any. I’d have to win a second lottery to pay for the gas.

Besides, giving money away is more fun than smoking fancy cigars and driving around in big machines — or at least I think so. There are many needs in the world. My plan would be to give only to groups that did not ask me for money.

Sneath has an almost $60 million problem. I hope his ex-wife, friends and family are gracious and appreciative.

He sounds like a nice guy.

• Mike McLellan can be contacted by calling and leaving a message at 830-4201 or
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