Leaprosy and another "Sort of Birthday"
Today is my Sort of Birthday! My actual birthday is Feb 29th. Yes, I'm a Leaper. I'm 9 1/2. When people find out about my Leaprosy, they often ask, "Isn't it hard only getting to celebrate your birthday every four years." (as if I were to celebrate it any other time would send the birthday police down from above) So after smiting them with an idiot stick, I kindly share with them how one out of every four birthdays is extra special.
My mother had to pick whether we would celebrate the alternate years on the 28th or the 1st. I guess they didn't want me voting or drinking a day early. My mother chose the 28th, partially because she figured I was born in February so it should stay there, but my great uncle Jack's B day was February the 28th as well and that made the off years special too. Every 28th, one of us would call each other. (A long distance call really meant something back then). We would tell each other corny jokes and share birthday wishes. On a Leap year, I would call him on the 28th and he would call me on the 29th. I really miss that. I only saw him a few times a year at most but each time was special and I feel I learned alot of love and happiness from him and Aunt Bonnie.
A few things about being a Leap baby:
1. I've been able to have pinatas at my last two real birthdays.
2. I may not be exaggerating when I say that about a thousand people have said "You're the first person I've ever met with a Leap birthday".
3. It has aided my perspective on age and how relative it all is.
"How old would you be if you didn't know how old you were?"
-Satchel Paige
My mother had to pick whether we would celebrate the alternate years on the 28th or the 1st. I guess they didn't want me voting or drinking a day early. My mother chose the 28th, partially because she figured I was born in February so it should stay there, but my great uncle Jack's B day was February the 28th as well and that made the off years special too. Every 28th, one of us would call each other. (A long distance call really meant something back then). We would tell each other corny jokes and share birthday wishes. On a Leap year, I would call him on the 28th and he would call me on the 29th. I really miss that. I only saw him a few times a year at most but each time was special and I feel I learned alot of love and happiness from him and Aunt Bonnie.
A few things about being a Leap baby:
1. I've been able to have pinatas at my last two real birthdays.
2. I may not be exaggerating when I say that about a thousand people have said "You're the first person I've ever met with a Leap birthday".
3. It has aided my perspective on age and how relative it all is.
"How old would you be if you didn't know how old you were?"
-Satchel Paige