I wish I had a clever title for this post!

I just got an email from an old friend of mine. She's been nominated for a position in President Obama's administration.

What's amazing about this news is my reaction (hey it's my blog, I can have it be all about me!)

I've known K since high school. She & I were in the same tennis P.E. class. She was good. I was good. We tied when we played each other.

We really hit it off. I went with her when she checked out the college she ended up attending. She got interested in religion and joined my church.

We really love each other and are always there for each other. Oddly enough we can go for long times not writing or seeing each other. Yet we always have our friendship in common, even if not a whole lot else.

I love being a child of the 60's. She thinks our generation was selfish and self-serving.

I've been married since college and have kids. She's single with no kids.

I have had a slap-dash career, never sticking to anything for long and making no name for myself whatsoever! (can you put smiley faces in blogs? if so, one would go here!)

She has had a fabulous career: breaking barriers, heading non-profit organizations & academic departments.

And all I could think when I read her email was, how cool! I don't know anyone who's more deserving. I have other friends who have achieved wonderful things in their lives, who get to do neat things or travel to places I would love to see. But I often have an ambiguous feeling -- on the one hand, how nice for them, on the other, envy.

So I was delighted with myself -- amazed, really to realize that, looking back, I have never felt ambiguous about K's opportunities and accomplishments. There just hasn't been envy or jealousy, ever. Nothing but wow, another fun thing she gets to do; another opportunity to do something worthwhile and important.

I love having this friend who sees & brings out the best in me.