I really am intrigued by the concept of having a birthday once every 4 years. Here’s my happy birthday letter to leap year babies, which I read on The Current on CBC Radio One this morning.
Dear babies born on February 29th,
Let me wish just you the happiest of happy birthdays you beautiful little freaks of nature.
While the rest of us of any adult age long ago stopped celebrating birthdays with the gusto we used to as kids, you have the freedom to celebrate birthdays like a kid your whole life.
Indeed it’s quite a responsibility a leap year baby’s birthday party. Since it only comes along once every 4 years you are obliged to celebrate in Olympic proportions. So you’re going to need to light a massive torch to pass around, invite the whole world to watch and every active participant should be so energetic they’ll be accused of taking performance-enhancing drugs.
What an advantage you leap year babies have. While the rest of us turn 72 you’re just turning 18…(albeit the most-saggy, least cologney-smelling 18 year olds in the world, but still, technically, you’re 18). That means you can reap the benefits of being a teenager much longer. Like having infallible wisdom, making fun of “old people” and living off of your parents.
Of course, there is also a downside. Bouncers don’t technically have to let you into bars until you’re a senior citizen. And by that time, what’s the point of even going to a bar. You are NOT going to pick up. And by the time you sit down for a drink…you have to pee again.
But overall I think being born on February 29, would be a giant leap from being born on any other day of the year. Even if none of you are likely to live beyond the age of “twenty-five.”
Yours truly,
Steve Patterson
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