I recently had surgery, and an old friend sent me a message.  I worked with this friend for about a year, and we stayed connected via social media, but other than an occasional comment on each other's posts or photos or a birthday greeting, we didn't really chat much.  I feel we had the sort of relationship that usually happens after you no longer see someone on a regular basis.  We do not have mutual friends we each hang out with regularly, neither of us work at the shared location any more, and she has, in fact, moved to another city.  I am married with three kids while she is dating someone but does not have kids.  We are just at very different places in our life, and so without social media we wouldn't keep in touch.

So I had a surgery a week ago.  It was completely planned, and I am not upset about it - just one of those things in life.  I am recovering comfortably at home, and feel fine.  My husband and kids are taking good care of me.  Although my recovery is supposed to last several more weeks, I am confident all will progress nicely.  

I was shocked and pleasantly surprised when this friend from several years ago offered to drop baked treats off at my house.  She lives 3 hours away, and happened to be driving by my small little, on her way to a completely different function.  She went out of her way and dropped a bag full of treats to me.  In the bag of treats, she had placed a holiday card, and had hand written a lovely note.

This friend has gone to school, gotten a phenomenal education, followed her dreams, lives in a big city, and has what I perceived to be this awesome life!  

In her cards she commends me for following my dreams, going to school, getting my education, raising my kids and all while working full-time.  I never thought of what I did as phenomenal, and I never thought it was something anyone would want.  I was wrong.  She said she often thought of me and all I have accomplished.  She stated that when she was feeling like she couldn't do something, she thought of what I had done, and I inspired her to move forward.

I was shocked.  I love my life, but I was slightly envious of hers; all the while, she was slightly envious of mine.  I preach to my kids all of the time that things on the outside are not always what they are on the inside - yet, I was surprised to see it so true!  Believe me, I wouldn't change my life for anything; I love my family!  But when you think someone has it so easy, so simple, and knows exactly what they want, it is shocking to learn you were wrong.