It's an occurrence so rare, so unique, that only a scant percentage of the world's population can stake claim to.

Such is the life of a Leap Year baby, something John Jones has become accustomed to and learned to accept.Jones, 63, of New Ringgold, was born at 5:10 a.m. in Coaldale State Hospital on Feb. 29, 1952.He grew up the son of John and Elizabeth Jones, and was the middle of three children; along with an older sister and younger brother.Surprisingly, Jones said his childhood - including his birthday - wasn't all that different despite the fact he is a Leap Year baby."When I was a kid, if it wasn't a Leap Year, I'd celebrate it on the weekend," Jones said. "It was nothing special to us. We just never were big on birthdays."As he got older, Jones said he would often find himself being ridiculed by fellow classmates who thought he only got to celebrate his birthday every four years."When I was younger, I wasn't thrilled with it," he said. "It just got so monotonous over the years."It got to the point where Jones said he tried to keep his birth date a secret from others."It was the same thing every year," he said. "When I was growing up, it got to the point where I never told anybody I was a Leap Year baby."Ironically enough, Jones said two other friends from his youth - Joseph Ames and Charles Ike - were also Leap Year babies who grew up in Tamaqua.Jones said he and Ames were especially close, as they lived across the street from each other, and naturally, went to school together."We were best friends. We did everything together," he said. "It's so odd; we were Leap Year babies."Jones has lived with his wife, Nancy, at their West Penn Township home since 1978. They have two sons.Their son, Ryan and his wife, Liz, are due to have their child any day now.Nancy joked that she hopes the baby is born on Leap Day, and that he is as "creative" and "artistic" as her husband."I would hope that if (the couple's soon-to-be grandchild) is born on a Leap Year, that he would exhibit those same qualities," she said. "He's kind, a great family man, father and husband."Less than a year ago, Jones retired from his position as a research chemist at Air Products in Hometown. He worked 41 years with the company.These days Jones keeps busy with his vast array of hobbies, which include restoring antique tractors and cars, privy digging, collecting railroad lanterns, restoring tractors, collecting Indian artifacts, and studying and reading books on the Molly Maguires."I'm never bored," he said. "I wake up each day thinking which hobby I'll do today."