COCKEYSVILLE, MD – The Maryland Lottery has reported what may be the luckiest case of family oversharing leading to a cash windfall after a Cockeysville woman won $50,000 on a scratch-off ticket following a message about her aunt.
Jennifer C., who preferred not to give her full name because she’s not really into fame and fortune, said that she had sent a snarky text about her aunt only for a wave of guilt to suddenly sweep over her moments later. In an effort to make amends, she decided to pick up a few Maryland Lottery scratch-offs from her local Giant supermarket. And who said karma wasn’t real?
Jennifer sat down in her car to scratch off the tickets and discovered multiple matching numbers and symbols on one of the $5 bankroll bingo tickets. “I couldn’t believe it,” she said. “I mean, actually, I could because I’m pretty sure I had willed the universe to give me this money for being a decent human being.”
But it wasn’t all easygoing for Jennifer. “I almost had a heart attack,” she exclaimed. “Then I pulled myself together and took it to the cashier, who confirmed that it was in fact a winning ticket. I high-fived her and happy-danced right out of the store.”
Jennifer, who works as a marketing executive, says that while the money will come in handy, she already has a few ideas about how to spend it which include fulfilling her life-long dream of becoming a professional ballroom dancer or taking a vacation to Bora Bora. “I’ve always wanted to learn how to waltz the night away, but my husband is more of a two-left-feet kind of guy. Maybe I’ll just hire a dancing partner for him… or maybe not.”
Her husband, who couldn’t be reached for comment, might be in knee-deep trouble if he doesn’t start practicing his moves sooner rather than later.
The Maryland Lottery wants to remind everyone that Jennifer’s luck was purely due to the message she sent about her aunt and is in no way tied to buying tickets. “We do not condone any sort of family gossip, sarcasm, or pettiness, no matter how tempting it may be,” said Lottery officials. “The fact that it led to a win is purely coincidental and not to be relied upon.”
In the meantime, Jennifer is looking forward to enjoying her winnings and honoring the memory of her aunt by using some of the money to donate to her favorite charity, Cat Ladies Rescue Baltimore. “My aunt loved cats, and I know she would be thrilled to see these little furbabies receive