This guy, Dennis Farina who plays handsome, sexy Joe Fontana on "Law & Order," is 16 today. Looks a little older, doesn't he?
Farina was born Feb. 29, 1944, which means this is officially his 16th birthday, although he has been alive for 64 years.
I have personally known only two Leapies: my best friend Joyce Ann's little brother Freddie, and my daughter Andy's friend Rhonda. It has been my personal experience, though limited, that Leapies are prone to trouble in one form or another. When we were teenagers, Freddie was constantly dealing Joyce and me some kind of misery. And when Andy was a teenager, I spent many anxiety-filled nights, knowing that she was out with Rhonda.
Maybe Leapies' trouble proneness is a result of a grudge they carry against fate for handing them a birthday that comes around only every four years. The rest of the time, they either have to forgo birthdays altogether or share somebody else's, somebody born on March 1 or February 28.
Birthdays are touchy subjects to people. I know I got all bent out of shape last year when my own personal birth anniversary fell on Leap Forward Day, which isn't quite as bad a having your birthday on plain old Leap Day. On Leap Forward Day, I lost an hour of my birthday due to the incoming Daylight Savings Time phenomenon. Leapies lose three whole years!
Hey! I have never thought of it until today, but I barely missed being a Leapy myself, pregnantly speaking. I was born on March 11 in a leap year, only 11 days after that awful day when nobody wants to be born. And anybody who has had babies knows that a birth can, and often does, occur earlier than one's stated due date.
So any of you full-term mamas who are thinking of giving birth today, think again--think about what being born on Leap Day could do to your child. Why, if she lives to be 100, she will have only 25 birthdays! Only 25 cakes covered with butter cream frosting and decorated with icing roses. Only 25 times to receive birthday cards and bright colored packages with surprises inside. Only 25 times to have "Happy Birthday" sung to her at Outback or Longhorn. Why, she'd have to live to be 400 to ever stand a chance of appearing on one of Willard Scott's jelly glasses. Ask yourself: Do you really want to do that to this kid? Cross your legs, woman! Protect this child from a life of deprivation!
Happy Birthday, Dennis. May you have nine more.
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On 02/29/2008, Rian said ...
I used to have a roommate who was a leap year baby. Her sister was four years older than her, also born on February 29. Maureen used to say, "I only got a real birthday every four years and I had to share it with my sister!" It was a real issue for her.
On 02/29/2008, Lynne in Hawaii said ...
You are too funny. I personally don't believe I know any leapies. Fortunately I was born earlier in the month--Valentine's day.
On 02/29/2008, Penny @ Lavender Hill Studio said ...
Happy Leap Day Susan!!
Penny
On 02/29/2008, Jean B. said ...
Poor me, my birthday is Holloween and we kept having to go to the door for trick or treat.
On 02/29/2008, Susan Tuttle said ...
Hi Susan,
My dear friend's Dad passed away on Leap Year. I have always thought he meant it to happen that way, so that his family would not have to experience the pain of that day every year.
Hope you are well.
Susan
xo
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