Lotto Lullibies

Self soothing for the millions

Growing up, I know someone who would pray. This isn’t remarkable in and of itself. Who they prayed to was. Though their idol was likely not unique to them, it was somehow was suitable for our increasingly secular society. This person prayed daily to Santa.

By praying to Santa Clause, they could soothe themselves with a vision of being seen, cared for and having all their desires realized and delivered by an omnipotent being. As they aged, the Santa fantasy slipped away.

I remember as a child when my Santa dream died. I found the presents and realized that what I thought was a well built man in a funny red suit with a whole lotta elves was actually a slight woman with a credit card, a love of the mall and a desire to let her children know that above all else they were loved. Thank you mom. You made Christmas magical.

My friend who prayed to Santa? When they moved on from Saint Nick, they found a new religion to sooth themselves with: Jackpot lottery winning fantasies. Now, given that the…