A lonely birthday if not for ....

Life can be awfully lonely. Even on the day when one should be rejoicing on his birthday, loved ones could sometimes 'forget' to say 'Happy Birthday'. What's the big deal, you may say. Afterall, birthday means another year is subtracted from your remaining living years. But they don't call it a special day for nothing. At least, I had a pleasant surprise when my handphone beeped with an incoming message just after noon. The message in Malay read "HAPPY BIRTHDAY. panjang umur murahkan rezeki kuatkan iman - kakak 27/3". Immediately, I thought it had come from my daughter but it was not. So, there could only be someone else who knew of my birthday. And that someone would surely not be bothered to remember about it if not for a special reason. Instantaneously I could think of one person, a senior in school who shared my birthday. I contacted the number and yes it was her. We have not spoken for years despite having the common bond. So it was a truly wonderful birthday after all. Thanks to the SMS, although in unspoken words, my depressed spirit was gone. I had reason to smile and be happy. That's what FRANCE is all about -- Friendship Remains And Never Can End.