Most parents would balk at the suggestion that they had a favourite among their children. What a preposterous suggestion!!! Parents love all their children equally. However, if the months of the year were to be regarded as the dozen children in a family, February would be the one that got the short end of the stick.
All the months of the year have either 30 or 31 days. February got just 28 days. To make up for being short changed, it was decided to add an extra day but only once every four years. I feel bad for those born on February 29th. Do they add a year to their age every four years? In non-leap years, do they celebrate on February 28th or March 1st? Your birthday is so special and personal, yet you have to choose a totally different date on which to celebrate. Of course, this would make you rather unique. India once had a Prime Minister who was born on February 29th. He might have been a very capable leader but all I can remember about him is that his birthday was on a Leap Day. It is possible that either I have a poor memory or he did not do anything noteworthy. Many years ago, in a Leap Year, ladies did not have to wait for their gentlemen friends to propose to them, they could pop that question themselves on February 29th. However, in these days of gender equality that idea is now an anachronism.
For some reason, every month of the year has a special event or just filled with general excitement to which we can look forward. January, beginning the year, full of hope and promise. March, when we look forward to Spring. We even kick-start the season by declaring a break mid-month. April, with glorious showers and hints of green. It is also a month that many engaged couples think is the best time to get married. May to August are months of fun, sunshine, holidays and barbecues. September and October are the belles of the ball with their gorgeous autumnal foliage and to round off the year we bring out the big guns – Thanksgiving, Halloween and Christmas.
February, though generally not associated with much fun, does have a Groundhog whom, we hope, did not see his shadow on February 2nd. There is also St. Valentine’s Day – a celebration of love. My personal view is that love should be celebrated through the year and not just on one day. I have to admit that my view is somewhat influenced by my love for chocolate and red roses. As it happens, St Valentine is also the patron saint of epilepsy and beekeepers. February is also Healthy Heart Month. I do not know if this is in any way connected with St. Valentine’s Day. February is also Black History Month. For anyone inclined toward trivia it is also Cherry and Grapefruit month and for dog lovers, you can celebrate your Golden Retrievers this month. The Chinese Lunar New Year was celebrated on February 1st this year and the Super Bowl on February 13th. For a decidedly short month, February does pack a wallop.
Some famous and not-yet-famous persons born in February – Abraham Lincoln, George Harrison, Sidney Poitier, Christiano Ronaldo, Jennifer Aniston, Michael Jordan, Yoko Ono and three members of the HLC staff .
February Birthstone – Amethyst
February Flowers – Violet and Primrose
