She self-published a children’s book she used while teaching in Escambia County and Santa Rosa County schools. She “CLEP’d” two years of college English. She taught high school business English. She even studied writing at Cambridge for a summer. The Santa Rosa Press Gazette Columnist Doris Kingry moved back to Milton 38 years ago, and today, she celebrates her 22nd birthday.
Kingry was born on the only holiday not appearing on the calendar every year, Leap Day. She asked her mother at one point why she didn’t just put the 28th on her birth certificate. Kingry said she told her, simply, it wasn’t her birthday.
The great thing about such an unusual birthday, Kingry said, is people remember it.
“The other day I was at the county administration building and a former student came up behind me.” She said the student approached her to wish her a happy birthday.
Growing up, Kingry said whether it was a Leap Year or not, she had some kind of birthday celebration. However, she said, “When I turned 80, my 15 children and grandchildren took me to Costa Rica. It was really special.” This year she said she has a daughter visiting from Ormond Beach. “She teaches at Daytona College. She makes it a point to be there. My sons do, too.”
A Leap Day birthday has had its difficulties, too. Kingry said “I can remember when some computers would not take the 29th of February. I can't recall specifics, but I do remember having problems with that.” However, she said she did take part in the jokes about appearing so young. “I’ve sort of taken it in stride. Four years ago I kidded myself, to other people about how now I was legal, so it hasn't been a problem for me. In fact, I've enjoyed the attention… I think it's funny.”
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Doris Kingry turns 22