Without a doubt, the coronavirus pandemic has shown us all just how important medical workers are. Now, one of these front line workers has received a massive thank you from the universe: this nurse one million dollars in the lottery!
She Could Not Believe It
Terri Watkins, a nurse who works on the front lines in Durham, North Carolina, never expected her life to suddenly change one day. But that’s how it always goes! Like so many Americans, she entered in a local lottery, never thinking she would win. However, that all changed when, during a second chance drawing, the North Carolina Education Lottery’s Supreme Riches sweepstakes pulled her name out of 513,000 people. As a result, Watkins won one million dollars! As you might imagine, the nurse could hardly believe what she was hearing when the lottery authorities called her. “You’re telling a story, I don’t believe you,” Watkins first said. Then, once the news actually settled in, all she could do was scream, “Oh my God! Oh my God!”
Even now, it’s a little hard for Watkins to comprehend what happened. “I thought that it was a scam. I was a little upset actually! I thought that it was not real, couldn’t be real. It’s still something that I really don’t believe, I’m still in some shock,” the nurse said. Soon enough, the lottery also announced the win on Twitter, writing, “Congratulations, Terri Watkins! Terri, a nurse from #Durham, just won $1 million on a Supreme Riches scratch-off ticket.” With that, another surprise came: Watkins went viral!
One Lucky Nurse
Sadly, this has been one of the few bright spots for the nurse during this pandemic. It’s been incredibly stressful and scary, to stay the least. And while Watkins would love to quarantine like everyone else, she has a job to do. When the pandemic started in 2020, the lottery winner had no time to relax. Now, she wants to take a break and balance out the finances. “Just seeing some of the things that I’ve had to see, I am very thankful,” Watkins said. “I had been praying for something to help me with this situation. It really is a great thing. I’m very blessed.”
Watkins had two options – to take the lump sum or have annual payments. Instead of picking $1 million in 20 payments each year, she opted for a $600,000 lump sum. Unfortunately, state and federal taxes transformed her sum into $424,500. Still, she’s not complaining.
Watkins has revealed only one plan for the cash so far – she wants a new comfortable home to come to after a tiring day full of hard work at the hospital. Otherwise, she doesn’t plan on spoiling herself too much. “I’m just gonna take it slow and easy and figure out what I’m gonna do,” said Watkins. “I would love a new home, but I’ve just got to take time and put it in the right place.”
Sources: MSN