birthday party or an empty funeral..

I don't like birthdays because I feel like it is friendship report card day. Every year I get nervous. I don't think anyone will come. I have had some great birthdays over the years, and I think I have some great friendships. But it still doesn't add up. I don't remember when I first started being afraid of the birthday party. When I was 16, my parents threw me a surprise party and invited my school AND church friends. I didn't have the social skills or wherewithall to enjoy myself. But I can remember even further back, being 10 maybe, and inviting some kids - but very carefully because there were these 3 girls that always hung out and I often felt left out and fought with them. So I only invited 1 of the 3. Or 2. And I told them so: "You guys aren't nice to me when you're together so I'm not inviting you all." Duh. Don't know why I cared so much. They were never my friends. I have always longed for deep, real and satisfying friend...