"I’ve heard it said that only the perishable can be beautiful, which is why we are unmoved by artificial flowers. " - Allison Trowbridge - Grinning children filled the classroom and encircled a subject who stood directly over his cake inscribed "Happy birthday", when they erupted into singing in unison, "Happy birthday to you!" , with all the energy they could muster. Treats were had and a few days later with this background their teacher asked, "Why do we celebrate birthdays when we are just one year closer to our grave?" When I first heard it I frowned in realization of the vanity but after living for a bit longer it hit me; a great story always has the ending in mind to fix the plot. ........... "The nations were angry, and your wrath has come. The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants the prophets and your people who revere your name, both great and small — and for destroying those who destroy the earth....