Some of the most important people in my life are my family.  We have had some money hardships growing up, but we learned to be thankful for everything we had.  Before considering how to begin this essay I had to write out what twenty million dollars actually looked like.  It was hard to even imagine having such a great sum of money.

I grew up in the country next to my grandparents all my life.  Every day until my grandfather passed away in 2010, he played the lottery.  He played the same numbers, and I always laughed at him and told him, “Keep on trying!” To this day my grandmother continues to play his numbers every day.

If I were to win the lottery the first person I would call would be my grandmother.  I know that if I won twenty million dollars pure shock and emotion would overcome me, and I would cry, “Mem, you’re never going to believe this.”

My grandmother has been such an influential figure in my life.  Without her I really do not know who I would be.  She has taught me how to be a strong person, and to strive to be the best I can be.  I learned from her to never give up.  In 2009 my grandmother discovered that she had colon cancer.  I have never seen such a struggle in my life, and if given the chance to give back to her in any way I would.

The first thing I would do with the money is give my grandmother enough for all of her medical bills, as well as money to do whatever she wanted.  She owns fourteen acres of land that needs to be fixed up, as well as her own home.  I would get great pleasure out of seeing her smile because of good fortune.  I feel like I owe her so much, and I want to repay her incredible kindness.

Next I would pay off all of my student loans.  The stress of being debt free would be such a relief.  I know I would spend some money on shopping to satisfy my insatiable habit, but since the economic crisis I also learned the importance of saving.  I would probably put a chunk of the money in the bank, but I would also use the money to help people.

There is so many issues in the world, but I think I would start with the issue that inspired me to learn how to make a difference; child labor.  In 2009 I booked a flight to Quito, Ecuador.  I met up with some close friends, and even made some new ones.  That was my first time leaving the country, and being the brave person I am, I flew alone.  While there I learned about Ecuadorian culture, food, and way of life.  I learned to appreciate life, nature, and peace.  I also learned about child labor.  While sitting in a bar in Quito I received a small tug at my side, and when I glanced down I saw a child no more than three years-old at my side.  He had a torn blue sweater with candy positioned between his fingers.  He was selling candy for his parents who were around the corner of the bar waiting for the money to buy more booze.  I will never ever forget that.  I have a problem with crying in public, but at that point I could not hold it in.  I cried for sadness, and I cried because I did not know what to do.  After that I decided that I was going to do something, and I dropped my minor in fashion and picked up a minor in politics.  I decided that my major in journalism and my minor in politics would help me change the world.

Helping people would bring lasting happiness over any sum of money.  I believe that without passion, and a love for things and people there cannot be true happiness.  Money can be nothing but the false face of happiness.  It will only last so long, and nothing lasts forever.  Many famous people end up bankrupt or broke believing that their fortune is endless.  The internet blogger Perez Hilton ended up bankrupt in 2005 for his insane spending, and poor financial skills.  People can sometimes become obsessed with luxury items that they believe will make them happy, and this easily can lead to bankruptcy.  In order to get any kind of happiness from twenty million dollars I believe I would have to remember these facts, and stick to what I believe in.  I believe in people, and I believe in helping people.