I Won the Lottery. For 15 Minutes.

My heart stopped. I felt dizzy. The moment I had always dreamed of was here. I have played the lottery for years. I am an optimist. You cannot win if you do not play, I told myself. Winning meant freedom: leaving my job, paying all my debts, and living life on my own terms. I live in Norway. Every few weeks, I bought a ticket. Sometimes, I would win 100 kroner (about £7.50). That small win was just enough to cover the ticket's cost. More importantly, it kept my hope alive.