Birthdays mark a whole new cycle, usually they are good indicators of what is about to come and who could be a better witness of what it means than Michael Duane Harlow who on the day of his 62nd birthday received a check for $10,000. Not everyone has the chance to walk into the Lottery Headquarters and receive a big fat check, but this winner did as a result of playing a $2 Blackout Bing instant scratch ticket.

One late Saturday afternoon Harlow and his wife decided to stop at Casey’s General Store and pick up a few tickets for the weekend. It was just before dinner that Harlow and his wife scratched off every letter on the fourth card which revealed a prize worth $10,000.

“I couldn’t believe it. Before this I was just really happy when we won $50,” Harlow said.

Harlow’s wife immediately took the ticket and put it in a safe place.

He and his wife Marlene are proud parents of three adult children and also have five grandchildren and two great grandchildren. They have just retired but their pace has not slowed down a bit for they are busy with their baby-sitting duties.

The happy couple plan on using some of the money for their vacation to the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah to watch drivers attempt to break land-speed world records, something they find absolutely amusing and they have been planning for quite some time.

“We also have three grand-daughters who are starting at Butler soon, so maybe we can help with some books,” Harlow said.

But this month is not only Harlow’s birthday and the lottery win which he is celebrating, a grandson just returned home from an 18-month tour in Afghanistan and Harlow is celebrating 45 years of marriage to his wife on August 7.

Laughing and with eyes twinkling Harlow said, “I’m having a good week. I guess I’m just lucky.” Lottery checker

This birthday is certainly one Harlow and family will remember for years to come, sometimes it only takes a special day to have the best things in life happen all at once.