A lot of dreams evaporated last night as the winning numbers were called.  Congratulations to the three winners in Illinois, Kansas, and Maryland.  I must say I am excited to hear that the winning ticket in Maryland was sold in a working class neighborhood.  I so hope it is a member of the working class that will claim 1/3 of the prize.  What a change is coming their way!

I am posting a picture of my lotto ticket right before it meets with its demise in the garbage can.  Before throwing it away, I reminsce all the happy talk we had yesterday of what we would do with the money.  All of us agreed that we would build a new school but we would definately want our names posted for all to see.  We would give money to friends, pay off our own debts, and live a life of luxury and leisure.(look back at my blog in March of 2011 as that was also a time of a big lottery jackpot)  As Faye and I walked out of the office, I announced for all to please remember us if they were the winners of the lottery. With a chuckle in my voice,  I reminded them how kind we were to each of them and how we were always willing to do anything to help.  As one teacher drove out of the parking lot, she stopped to assure me she would share with me.  What a smile that brought!

I think each of us knew that winning the 640 million was just a dream, but yet we joined in the pleasure of excitement of what each of us would do with all of that money-- Which brings back to giving to friends and this question..... Am I the type of person or friend that deserves to be rewarded for just being a friend if by chance my "friends" became lucky enough to win?  Then I stop to reflect at what I myself teach the children I encounter daily.  Do I exhibit behaviors that I want people to say "Mrs. Caston is really a nice person."  or is it my alter ego that pushes through and people want to say, "Mrs. Caston is a B****" 

At least once a week, and actually more, I get to visit with someone who has been bullied.  Sometimes I discover yes they are getting bullied but they are also being the bullier.  How do you explain to children every action has a reaction and you can't treat people negatively without some consequences coming back?  I know it is just nature that we are not going to like everyone we meet.  It is more common in the upper grades and to be talking about that scares me to death.  I am frightened about what can happen when adolescents do not get along.  The consequences can  be severe.

When we don't treat, I didn't say we  like, people that we meet with respect and courtesy, we can only expect that a reaction is going to take place.  As parents, we try to teach things one way but yet our behaviors are what our kids impersonate.  To raise children to be good adults, we have to display proper behaviors.  We have to keep our emotional conversations between our family of adults so that what we feel doesn't come out in how the children behave.

Yesterday in reading, third grade read about a man who paid for Ramona Quimby's family's dinner because they seem like such a nice family.  Unknown to the man, the Quimby's really needed that extra monetary support at that time.  I hope my family is like that.  Yes, my kids are grown and practically gone but I hope they have learned to be a nice family.  I know that we weren't always on our best behaviors and sometimes my emotions came out in their behaviors. (This more in the girls than the boy.)  I can offer these words because I have already gone before you with my children and made all of the mistakes that I see come through my office. 

 I had a kid ask me this year if I believed in Karma.  They felt they were being mistreated by an adult  and they knew for certain that Karma would pay back this adult.  I guess if you believe in Karma and you held true to the fact he was indeed being mistreated, that would be true.  It does seem that things happen for a reason. 

So what does all of this have to do with a lottery ticket?  I guess I am trying to say...... when you meet someone, think of them as having the winning lottery ticket.  Think of them as being the person who could change your life or even just pay for your dinner because you are nice.  It may just be false behavior but it soon will become habit.  I know nice makes me feel better.  I have my own rudeness grabbing me, but I think if I just let go, it make everything much smoother.  So now I am going to try to let go and treat everyone as though they have the capacity to change my life.  Good things are on the way.