Feb. 29 is a special day

It’s that time again. It happens every four years. Most people don’t even see it coming; in fact, most people
don't even know about it until they turn the calendar. Even then, they are oblivious to the fact that every four
years something is different.

No, I’m not talking about the Presidential election; I’m talking about Leap Year. You know, that 29th day of
February. It often goes unnoticed other than noting that there is an extra day on the calendar.

The Presidential election often coincides with Leap Year. Sure, the campaigning of those hoping to be elected
to the Oval Office makes headlines and news. THAT is noticed and how could it NOT be? The media thrives
on this time of year and on reporting about politics.

Most people have a “birthday anniversary” every year. Each year they commemorate the day of their birth.
Some of us, however, don’t have that. Every day on the calendar occurs every year except February 29.
THAT day only occurs once every four years; Leap Year.

Unless February 29, or Leap Year, has some sort of connection in one’s life, it is barely noticed and much
less understood. There is a reason for that extra day once every four years; but most people only see it as an
extra day in February; an extra day on the calendar without meaning and without any other thought.

I was born on February 29th. Back in the 1980’s when everyone began computerizing, I had difficulties. Back
then, DOS was the prevailing operating system; DOS also didn’t recognize February 29 before 1980.

We all have to give our birth date at pharmacies, don’t we? In the 1980s, I would go to the pharmacy and give
my birth date; I routinely had problems. The pharmacist would have to ask me what date my insurance
company used as my birth date; he’d have to call my insurance provider every time. Once a pharmacist asked
me, “Have you ever been told to change your birth date?”

Who knew that the day on which I was born would work against me? As a kid, I was told that I didn’t have a
birthday that year. THAT was true; but to a young boy, I didn’t understand. I mean, everyone else had a birthday
every year.

Oh, but those Leap Years when there WAS a February 29th. It was special; that one day which occurs only
once every four years, on which I was born, was more than an extra day on the calendar.

My parents and family always acknowledged me being a year older, as they did everyone else on their birthday.
But when it was Leap Year and my actual birth date, February 29, was a real day, instead of February 28 or
March 1, it was a big deal. My parents and sisters, aunts and uncles and friends went out of their way to make
my birthday so very special.

My father told me when I was a kid, “Don’t ask for the keys to the car when you are sixteen because you’ll only
be four years old.” Well, I did get the keys to the car when I was sixteen years old.

Even though I don’t have a birthday every year, I still age every year. My nephew wanted to take me to school
for “show and tell” one year because I was only ten years old. My nieces and nephews get a laugh from having
more birthdays than their much older uncle.

Being a Leap Year Baby used to be a burden when I was a young boy. Now, I can turn it around to my advantage:
I age in reverse dog years.

Whatever. Being a Leap Year Baby is something very special…. and different. Though February 29 is often
unnoticed by the general public, it is very meaningful to those who were born on that day that occurs only
once every four years.

Comparatively, there aren’t as many of us Leap Year Babies as everyone else who have a birth date on the
calendar each year. Leap Year also often coincides with the year of major, Presidential, elections. The
campaigning and debates for the Primary nomination may dominate the press and television, and encourage
and discourage voters. Some things happen only once every four years.

If you know someone born on February 29th, send him or her a card this year; acknowledge Leap Year and his
or her actual birth date. Leap Year may not mean much to others; but to a Leap Year Baby, it is most special.

Happy Leap Year everyone!

Joseph P. Cupp

Wheeling