It’s not a “giant leap” for me to say that 1976, 1984, 2000 and 2008 were all significant Leap Years and milestones in my life.
1976 marked the Bicentennial of the United States. It was the year that I graduated from Boston University. Living in this cradle of the American Revolution, I had more than my full share of Bicentennial Fever. I also moved to New York City to begin my first professional position as a public relations consultant with Edelman, one of the biggest firms in the world. I still remember the pretty female lobby attendants dressed in Bicentennial-themed sexist outfits of red, white & blue ponchos over hot pants, the look completed with white go-go boots!
1984 – I became a proud father of a beautiful baby girl, Marina, my first born. (Her sister, Chloe, followed three years later). As an infant, my daughter was the spitting image of me including the bald head -- but minus the beard. I actually had nearly a full head of hair in those days; having children makes you lose it! My wife and I also bought our first house in the suburbs.
2000 – The Millennium, of course, was a New Year’s Eve marked in a significant way around the world; although, honestly, I can’t remember how I celebrated. I had a client at the time that made a bundle of money traveling around the world as a conference speaker talking about “Millennium Fever” and all of the changes it would wrought. It was a great gimmick and schtick. But I’m not sure if any of his “predictions” ever came true.
2008 – A milestone in American and world history was marked with the election of Barrack Obama. I was one happy camper and I put my event planning skills to the test. I organized a presidential inauguration party. The enthusiasm in the room was high and emotional as President Obama delivered his inauguration speech which we watched on a giant screen from a hotel ballroom in New Rochelle. I wonder now if I was the only person in the room who did not expect much would be accomplished by this very capable man on account of the mess that he inherited. His election, alone, was a major achievement that burnished America’s reputation around the world.
Is this a giant leap from observing the significance of Leap Year birthdays? I think not. Every day we “give birth” to a new day and to the possibility of a fresh beginning. When given a set-back, we have to figure out how to re-invent ourselves. This sometimes requires taking a giant “leap” into the unknown.
Please visit their student created blog and post a comment. Better yet, share your Leap Year memories, particularly if you or a member of your family is a Leap Year baby! Here's the link:http://specialevents2012.wordpress.com
