thank you, all of you!! you guys are amazing. i really do appreciate your words of wisdom. thanks again!

HUGS ...we're your friends. I mean we can't take you out and all...but we're here and we'd happily throw you a virtual party!!! PM me if you want one and I'll set it up:)

Well now... that is a very interesting concept CosmicFugitive... I likes it!!!

I'm sorry that your "friends" won't be there for you birthday... =( Still, happy early birthday, and hopefully they find some way f makeing it up to you =)

Ooh.. Snap! My birthday's this Sunday too. *Waves to a fellow Libran.*

I'm sorry that you're "friends" haven't come up with an alternate plan to celebrate, even if it's just on a smaller scale, or just to get together for a belated celebration. I hope that you have a great birthday regardless of this sticking point.

Here's something that I learned in life, which has been helpful:

People are like different parts of a tree. There are those who are like the leaves. They can look pretty, but they are unstable, blowing around in the wind. Eventually they wilt away during the autumn too. They don't last long. These are seasonal friends, or those who who meet for a short while.

There are those people that are like the branches. They might fool you with their friendliness - reaching out towards you etc - although they are just as unstable as leaves. They can snap off at any time. Unpredictable as leaves.

Then, there are people who are like the roots of the tree. These are the most important people that you meet in life. They help the rest of the tree grow, develop and protect it. The roots will there through all seasons, through thick and thin and the rest of the trees life.