If I Had a Million Dollars

Today has been the sort of day where I really wish I had an extra million dollars lying around. Today I realized that so many of my work frustrations could be resolved if only I had a million dollars lying around. That caused me to think about all the other things I'd do if I had a million dollars. And before long, I was singing my own catchy little version of the song "If I Had a Million Dollars".

So, what would I do if I had a million dollars?

Make sure cancer patients had access to better resources and programs. The reason I thought of this today is because money seems to control every interaction I have with every cancer patient. Cancer is financially draining, even for those who are well-off to begin with. Now imagine the patients I work with: uninsured, usually unemployed, tendency to be first-generation immigrants or undocumented citizens, very low literacy level, and living in one of the poorest, crime-ridden cities in the United States. Cancer is more than financially draining for people who are already financial drained. My job is to provide these individuals with access to programs and resources to help make their lives a little better. Well, recently I'm being told that the money within the organization is tight (what company isn't feeling the pinch of Obama's terrible economic policies?!). When money is tight, services and programs get cut. One of the biggest barriers my patients face is transportation. People don't have it. So, if I had a million dollars, I would create some sort of public transportation company that would help drive cancer patients to and from treatments, doctor's appointments, and hospital stays. It would be completely free! This may seem like a small thing to most but once you've worked in oncology you'll realize that transportation is key to everything. Today, I could have used a million dollars, that's for sure! Truth be told, if I had a million dollars, I would quit my job to focus all my energy on the next point.

If I had a million dollars I'd start an organization specializing in Orphan Care Ministry work including global orphan care, foster care, and adoption services. Being a social worker myself, I am certainly more than qualified to run such an organization. With this organization I'd help families fund their adoptions by using a good hunk of the money to create adoption grants. And I'd use a little bit to help us bring one or two (or three!?) kids of our own home.

Other things I'd do with a million dollars...you can bet I'd donate money to various organizations that Dave and I are both passionate about and whose missions we feel are worth supporting. I'd put some extra money in the church offering, too. Dave would probably take some money and buy tickets to every major PGA event and I'd go with because let's face it, they only play golf in absolutely beautiful places. Dave would also probably want to start a foundation of some sort related to children and sports. I could see us running some sort of foundation for children in developing parts of the world to help get them sports equipment, sports camps, and scholarships to play in college.

And since it's my million dollars I'd be a little greedy and use some to pay off all my student loans, to build my dream house (nothing too fancy, just something perfect to grow a family in), and take Dave to Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. I'd put a little away in savings, our kids college savings accounts, and my 401K and use the rest to fund all the brilliant ideas I talked about before.

Yes, if I had a million dollars I'd be singing my own song. Only difference between mine and the original is that my song doesn't end in the words "I'd be rich!". I'd likely be pretty broke. With the exception of the money I put away in savings, I'd probably spend every single penny. Yet, I know my life would feel so much richer. I would finally get to help people have access to services they need to have a good quality of life. I'd be able to start an organization or foundation that supports the things I am most passionate about. I'd get to see the joyous smiles and feel the loving embraces of sweet children every day who were united with their forever families thanks to our million dollars. Using my million dollars to help others - now THAT would make rich!