It was an ordinary day. There on the front page of my LNP morning newspaper was a large photograph of a longtime friend of mine, Bob Feltman, volunteering at Conestoga Valley Christian Community Services in Lancaster, PA. I knew Bob for many years since we both worked at Manheim Township School District. I taught Industrial Arts at the high school while Bob was the Principal at nearby Schaeffer Elementary School in Manheim Township. All three of my children had him as their elementary school Principal while my wife, Carol, spent many hours volunteering at the school. Seems that Bob turned 21 years old today! When I first read that in the paper, I thought it must be a mistake, but then I realized that this is Leap Year and today is February 29, thus Bob is only celebrating his 21st birthday!! Oh, to be 21 years old once again! And, that's exactly what Bob is doing today...lucky guy! Then I did the figuring and realized he just turned 84. I can still remember when our three children returned from school on February 29 and told us about their Principal had just turned XXX or XXX, depending on which of our three children was telling us that. I just can't imagine what it must be like to have a "Leap Year" birthday. Doesn't seem quite fair to only have a birthday every four years. Yeah...I know he celebrates a birthday every years as we do, but OFFICIALLY, he only has a birthday in Leap Year. Story in the morning newspaper told of at least six fellows in Lancaster County who will officially be able to have a beer to celebrate their birthday today, since they will all be turning 21 years old! Can you imagine what it must be like to have been born on Leap Day? But, than again, think of all the extra attention you might get on February 29th when it rolls around every 4 years. I can remember when my children would come home from Schaeffer Elementary School on leap year day and tell my wife and myself that their Principal was joking about being the same age as some of them were. Boy, did they have a hard time understanding that! None of them really believed what he was telling them, because at the time they didn't quite understand that many people only had a birthday every four years. Well, today Bob volunteers at Conestoga Valley Christian community Service where he helps pack "weekend blessing bags" for kids in need. He served as Schaeffer Elementary School Principal for 31 years. Everyone loved Bob since he was so good with all of the students at Schaeffer. Never heard a bad word from any of my children! Seems that every one of the children at Schaeffer enjoyed having Mr. Feltman as their Principal. He strived to know each and every child that ever went to Schaeffer while he worked there. And...he hasn't changed a bit since that time, being that he still gives of his time to help others. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. And...HAPPY BIRTHDAY MR. FELTMAN!!!
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