An Extra Day . . .

Happy 29th birthday . . . to my Great-Grandpa . . . who was born in 1896!  He was a leap day baby who only had a REAL birthday when February 29 came around once every 4 years.  I remember him sitting on his couch while being interviewed by a local news station in 1980 on his 84th birthday as he was turning 21 and was finally of legal age.  He explained with frustration that since there is no leap day on the turn of each century, in 1900 when he should have had his first REAL one, "they skipped it" and his first Feb 29 birthday wasn't until 1904 when he was 8.
While it may seem unfair that people get ripped off and short-changed when it comes to their birthdays being skipped regularly, it's really no big deal to celebrate on Feb 28 or March 1.  On the other hand, I've heard people talk about days like today that come around once every 4 years like it's more special than others . . . some type of bonus or "extra day" . . . like what are you going to do . . . how are you going to spend your "extra day"?  I can't help but be reminded that each and every day we get to wake up to is a blessing and an extra day that God has given us by His grace.  Yes, February 29 might be a unique day on the calendar . . . but what if we consciously viewed each and every day as an "extra day" and lived it to the full?  Let's make the most of this gift of life that God has given us by using it to love Him and love others.
Grandpa Borg would have been 116 today . . . and with the type of wisdom that great-grandparents can give - like "don't drag race with your Chevette" - I think he would suggest that we don't take any of our days for granted.