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young_at_heart

(3,973 posts)
Thu Sep 18, 2025, 11:55 AM Sep 18

Tomorrow I will be 86 years old

It never occurred to me that instead of a celebration I would tell my family....."No birthday cake, no presents, no anything. I am too depressed about what has happened to our country". I have photos going back to 1939 of my Happy Birthdays. This will be the only time there will be no photo!

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Tomorrow I will be 86 years old (Original Post) young_at_heart Sep 18 OP
Such A Sad Time We Live In Frerotte Sep 18 #1
YES x infinity! (nt) Heidi Sep 18 #15
I am 90.. homegirl Sep 18 #54
Keep on truckin'. It's all we can do. surfered Sep 18 #62
So glad you're here with us, Heidi Sep 19 #71
Don't do that please! tavernier Sep 18 #2
I came to say don't skip self care IbogaProject Sep 18 #38
I think so Too! We have to be strong Cha Sep 19 #67
Wishing you peace on your 86th! SheltieLover Sep 18 #3
Yup yup. I'm 85 and have similar feelings. Chipper Chat Sep 18 #4
The OP's birthday can be a small movement Heidi Sep 18 #10
Music keeps you young!!! usonian Sep 19 #78
You need to celebrate malaise Sep 18 #5
We can celebrate the OP and all who've blazed a path for us. Heidi Sep 18 #12
You too malaise Sep 18 #16
I will celebrate you tomorrow. Heidi Sep 18 #6
Only Bob Dylan and The Band can do this song with such emotion..my favorite version Deuxcents Sep 18 #57
Pushing 80 here.. Permanut Sep 18 #7
We'll celebrate you tomorrow, too. Heidi Sep 18 #8
What a delightful response.. Permanut Sep 18 #11
In spite of it all Happy Birthday! bronxiteforever Sep 18 #9
I'm 81 and know how you feel. Ping Tung Sep 18 #13
We'll celebrate you tomorrow, too, Heidi Sep 18 #14
That's it, exactly! What. The. Hell. Hekate Sep 18 #44
Hahahaha malaise Sep 18 #60
You are an inspiration. Continued staying young at heart surfered Sep 18 #17
Yes! Heidi Sep 18 #21
Happy Early Birthday EnergizedLib Sep 18 #18
Second that and feel same way Tree Lady Sep 18 #20
Ok but SocialDemocrat61 Sep 18 #19
I'm very sorry angrychair Sep 18 #22
Happy Birthday. Feeling bad is natural. Not feeling at all is not. Hang in. twodogsbarking Sep 18 #23
Ooooooh, GOOD quote!!! calimary Sep 18 #36
Marcus Aurelius - my man twodogsbarking Sep 19 #69
I feel like a youngster in this thread. piddyprints Sep 18 #24
Happy Birthday one day early! people Sep 18 #25
Good for you. I just turned 78 eight days ago. OLDMDDEM Sep 18 #26
Congratulations! Heidi Sep 18 #27
Thank you. OLDMDDEM Sep 18 #29
Have a wonderful birthday, young at heart Grim Chieftain Sep 18 #28
Lots of us 80-ish around, feeling the same way. elleng Sep 18 #30
Thank you, elleng! Heidi Sep 19 #72
Happy imminent birthday! Life's too short to let events ruin your joys. Enjoy your day and ancianita Sep 18 #31
Wish you peace AKwannabe Sep 18 #32
Oh no! Don't let them do that to you! Get together & take a resistance photo! Flip the bird! CrispyQ Sep 18 #33
87 and counting BarbD Sep 18 #34
I had my 86th birthday a couple of weeks ago LibinMo Sep 18 #35
THANK YOU to EVERYBODY who contributed to this thread! calimary Sep 18 #37
I hope you decide to celebrate you. Passages Sep 18 #39
Have a DU party! How long can a Birthday Thread get? nolabear Sep 18 #40
Happy Birthday fellow Virgo! Mossfern Sep 18 #41
You might look at it another way & consider that you are denying your family of this occasion to gather... Hekate Sep 18 #42
Happy Birthday LetMyPeopleVote Sep 18 #43
Happy birthday. murielm99 Sep 18 #45
Understandable. Happy Birthday anyway. LoisB Sep 18 #46
You should still celebrate. Figarosmom Sep 18 #47
In three weeks I will be 89 and though I too am depressed with our country right now and I need justhanginon Sep 18 #48
86?? that's fantastic! orleans Sep 18 #49
Happy Birthday, anyway! dwayneb Sep 18 #50
Don't look that old to me! marble falls Sep 18 #51
You are young enough to remember USMC Brigadier General Smedley Darlington Butler. GreenWave Sep 18 #52
Celebrate Your life snowybirdie Sep 18 #53
Congratulations!! You won the life lotto - have a wonderful day. walkingman Sep 18 #55
Don't allow that orange POS to rain on your parade. Say yes to the cake and champagne, too. Vinca Sep 18 #56
Be kind to your soul tomorrow especially, and every day. We are what we came here for. Clouds Passing Sep 18 #58
If you can canetoad Sep 18 #59
Thank you EVERYONE!! young_at_heart Sep 18 #61
So glad your mood has lifted, dear young at heart Grim Chieftain Sep 18 #63
It is hard for everyone but especially those that grew up applegrove Sep 19 #64
Happy Birthday, and have a good year IzzaNuDay Sep 19 #65
no, do NOT let them take away that joy Skittles Sep 19 #66
Happy 86 young_at_heart 💙 Cha Sep 19 #68
Happy birthday, young_at_heart! Heidi Sep 19 #70
Birthday kick! Heidi Sep 19 #73
86 years. You've seen a lot, both good and bad. Here's hoping you'll see even better. Solly Mack Sep 19 #74
Happy Birthday malaise Sep 19 #75
Happy Birthday!!! SheltieLover Sep 19 #76
Happy Birthday young_at_heart! Celebrate Don't livetohike Sep 19 #77
Don't let a bully steal your thunder....HAPPY BIRTHDAY!... MiHale Sep 19 #79
I wanted to take a moment and celebrate you today. Quiet Em Sep 19 #80
Congratulations! Squeaky41 Sep 19 #81

homegirl

(1,860 posts)
54. I am 90..
Thu Sep 18, 2025, 03:31 PM
Sep 18

born in the middle of the Great Depression and my most vivid childhood memories are of WW2 home front. Was jealous of the freedom of the hippie generation, and here I am..realizing I was born in and lived through the Golden Age of the USA.

tavernier

(13,972 posts)
2. Don't do that please!
Thu Sep 18, 2025, 12:00 PM
Sep 18

Celebrate your wonderful self because you are on the good side of humanity. Let your light shine for the rest of us to follow!!!

Happy Birthday (from a soon seventy niner)

Cha

(314,619 posts)
67. I think so Too! We have to be strong
Fri Sep 19, 2025, 03:00 AM
Sep 19

for ourselves and our Families.

Thank Goodness We Have DU to Learn what's going on, communicate with kindred Spirits, and Rant and Rave!

💙

SheltieLover

(73,945 posts)
3. Wishing you peace on your 86th!
Thu Sep 18, 2025, 12:01 PM
Sep 18

Pls don't let kraznov deprive you & your family & friends of celebrating!



Chipper Chat

(10,603 posts)
4. Yup yup. I'm 85 and have similar feelings.
Thu Sep 18, 2025, 12:02 PM
Sep 18

Don't celebrate birthdays, Christmas, july 4th.
I know better than to spend time longing for past decades. I remain positive and do what I can for mankind and the planet. I listen to a lot of music. Right now rachmaninoff's piano concerto #2. Very stimulating.

Heidi

(58,835 posts)
10. The OP's birthday can be a small movement
Thu Sep 18, 2025, 12:17 PM
Sep 18

and reason to celebrate* all of y‘all who‘ve made a path for the rest of us. Our family will celebrate your light in the world, too.

*Pinsa with roasted red onions, red bell pepper, green and yellow zucchini, ham, and mozzarella + vegan chocolate pudding to offset the ham and mozzarella.

usonian

(20,874 posts)
78. Music keeps you young!!!
Fri Sep 19, 2025, 02:19 PM
Sep 19

No foolin, I just took another shot this morning at the "Rock 2", at 76, a bit simplified (by me). And when I get half decent at it, I have a "music minus one" recording with just the orchestra. It is a great concerto.

STAY YOUNG!

Everyone here!


Heidi

(58,835 posts)
12. We can celebrate the OP and all who've blazed a path for us.
Thu Sep 18, 2025, 12:24 PM
Sep 18

These beloved DUers are not always “elders.” We here at Casa *insert hyphenated American-Italian surname* celebrate you, too, malaise. You’re a DU treasure.

Heidi

(58,835 posts)
6. I will celebrate you tomorrow.
Thu Sep 18, 2025, 12:03 PM
Sep 18

Thank you for being here, young_at_heart. Please allow me to share the song my dad asked us to play at his funeral 14 years ago.

https://m.

&pp=ygUXYm9iIGR5bGFuIGZvcmV2ZXIgeW91bmc%3D

Deuxcents

(24,180 posts)
57. Only Bob Dylan and The Band can do this song with such emotion..my favorite version
Thu Sep 18, 2025, 04:14 PM
Sep 18

To all our DU *youngsters* with birthdays today, tomorrow, last week or next week or whenever, I am sending my best wishes with thanks and admiration to the many Trail Blazers who have been fighting the good fight and making way for me to join in. I’m 78 and am so proud to be in your company 💙

Permanut

(7,574 posts)
7. Pushing 80 here..
Thu Sep 18, 2025, 12:03 PM
Sep 18

Ihear you loud and clear. This madness will pass; I hope you and I are around to see it.

Heidi

(58,835 posts)
14. We'll celebrate you tomorrow, too,
Thu Sep 18, 2025, 12:59 PM
Sep 18

Ping Tung. Time flies but one’s light in the world is infinite.

EnergizedLib

(2,826 posts)
18. Happy Early Birthday
Thu Sep 18, 2025, 01:08 PM
Sep 18

But you’re still worthy of being celebrated, even if what has become of this country is not.

Tree Lady

(12,761 posts)
20. Second that and feel same way
Thu Sep 18, 2025, 01:23 PM
Sep 18

Your life is worth more than his and you should celebrate that. Hopefully you have family and friends who agree with you and young people to carry the torch forward.

twodogsbarking

(15,979 posts)
23. Happy Birthday. Feeling bad is natural. Not feeling at all is not. Hang in.
Thu Sep 18, 2025, 01:37 PM
Sep 18

"The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane"

calimary

(87,928 posts)
36. Ooooooh, GOOD quote!!!
Thu Sep 18, 2025, 02:12 PM
Sep 18

"The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane.”

Who said that?

piddyprints

(15,020 posts)
24. I feel like a youngster in this thread.
Thu Sep 18, 2025, 01:38 PM
Sep 18

I’ll be 69 next week. We plan to celebrate. I hope you’ll celebrate your life tomorrow. Please let them take a photo, for them.

Yes, it’s horrible that we have to spend our golden years in such a mess. Still, as the saying goes, where there’s life, there’s hope.

Happy Birthday!

people

(807 posts)
25. Happy Birthday one day early!
Thu Sep 18, 2025, 01:38 PM
Sep 18

What is happening to our country is dreadful but you are So good. So glad you have your family to love you and for you to love. Hope you find a little happiness tomorrow. Keep the TV and the internet off!

Grim Chieftain

(641 posts)
28. Have a wonderful birthday, young at heart
Thu Sep 18, 2025, 01:45 PM
Sep 18

Celebrate with family and friends, look back fondly at the many accomplishments of your life! Do not let the orange felon rob you of your joy. As the old adage goes - "The best revenge is living well".

elleng

(140,886 posts)
30. Lots of us 80-ish around, feeling the same way.
Thu Sep 18, 2025, 01:48 PM
Sep 18

Happy 80-ish to us all, and thanks for our 'kiddies.'

Heidi

(58,835 posts)
72. Thank you, elleng!
Fri Sep 19, 2025, 08:54 AM
Sep 19

Despite the :poop: going on all around us, I’m inspired by you and so many others in this community.

ancianita

(42,002 posts)
31. Happy imminent birthday! Life's too short to let events ruin your joys. Enjoy your day and
Thu Sep 18, 2025, 01:51 PM
Sep 18

allow others to love you.

CrispyQ

(40,265 posts)
33. Oh no! Don't let them do that to you! Get together & take a resistance photo! Flip the bird!
Thu Sep 18, 2025, 01:59 PM
Sep 18


OR



Have a happy birthday whatever you do!

BarbD

(1,337 posts)
34. 87 and counting
Thu Sep 18, 2025, 02:03 PM
Sep 18

Grew up in Wisconsin while Senator Joe McCarthy was spewing hatred and ruining lives with fear of communism. "Better dead than Red" was echoed in the playground. Then came Vietnam, and we all know how that went. Now we are once again challenged with hate and fear. But, I will not allow evil to rule my life.

Today I celebrate with people I know who are demonstrating against this regime. My two senators and congressman are on speed dial. I sing "We shall overcome", knowing that we need to work together. I firmly believe in the Beatles' song -- "All you need is love, love is all you need."

Congratulations on your birthday. We are all needed in this fight for the future of our grandchildren and great grandchildren.

LibinMo

(564 posts)
35. I had my 86th birthday a couple of weeks ago
Thu Sep 18, 2025, 02:12 PM
Sep 18

And I intend to keep having them at least until this hellscape we’re living in now is over. I won’t ever give up.
My husband is gone, family divided politically and geographically. Two of my children phoned and the one who still lives nearby spent the day with me. One has ghosted me for years. I got flowers & candy. So I did celebrate because I still have so much to be grateful for. Stay strong & keep the faith! Happy Birthday❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

calimary

(87,928 posts)
37. THANK YOU to EVERYBODY who contributed to this thread!
Thu Sep 18, 2025, 02:20 PM
Sep 18

Thank you to all of our DU elders who’ve helped to lead the way toward safety, relief, and TRIUMPH over this mess we’re all in.

You remain an inspiration and a source of strength to me.

The one quote I find myself keeping in mind:
THIS TOO SHALL PASS. (That means YOU, TOO, donald.)

Mossfern

(4,379 posts)
41. Happy Birthday fellow Virgo!
Thu Sep 18, 2025, 02:35 PM
Sep 18

Today I turned 77.
It's a great time of the year, and I plan to spend the day enjoying the fabulous weather, organizing (cause that's what Virgos do), and working in my garden. Tonight we'll go for sushi and have some of the fabulous flourless chocolate cake the restaurant has for dessert.

Take that celebratory photo - don't let the Dementors win.
Listen to some some Motown music and reminisce about the good times you did have.
This too shall pass.

When life gets you down .....EAT CAKE!

Hekate

(99,594 posts)
42. You might look at it another way & consider that you are denying your family of this occasion to gather...
Thu Sep 18, 2025, 02:40 PM
Sep 18

Last edited Thu Sep 18, 2025, 03:15 PM - Edit history (1)

You might look at it another way & consider that you are denying your family of this occasion to gather...
I’ll be 78 in a few weeks and am not doing so great myself — but I remember how much it hurt when I’d call my mother in her 70s (long distance) to say something chipper like, “Happy birthday! I bet you’re getting all kinds of calls! “ and she would snarl at me.

On a quite-related note, whenever I read a small death notice in the paper that instructs the friends of the deceased that no gathering of any kind will be held because their late friend didn’t believe in such meaningless fripperies, I recall another thing my mom said, which is: “Funerals are for the living. “ And she was quite right about that: humans have a need to gather.

So, personally, my resolution this year is to be kind to my husband, and thank him for the handmade card on our breakfast table. Also to be pleasant to anyone in my scattered, small, and diminished family who remembers to call, give a big hug to my SIL who remembers with cake, and well, that’s about it.

May there be good memories that come into your thoughts, and may you have a happy (or at least adequate! ) birthday after all. 🎂🎂🎂

Figarosmom

(8,759 posts)
47. You should still celebrate.
Thu Sep 18, 2025, 02:55 PM
Sep 18

Don't allow this regime to rob you of good times you deserve.

You can be merry and care about the world at the same time.

Happy 86th, take your happy moments while you can.

justhanginon

(3,370 posts)
48. In three weeks I will be 89 and though I too am depressed with our country right now and I need
Thu Sep 18, 2025, 02:55 PM
Sep 18

the break of a celebration of something good, (as in me still walking this earth).
This unfortunate period of a two bit N.Y. huckster, multi-convicted felon, accused rapist, fraudster, would be dictator and otherwise just plain bad person running our country makes me sick to my stomach and I truly hope I do not die while this bastard is still in office. If he outlives me, my kids have been given instructions to do the more than appropriate urination rite on wherever he is buried.
It truly infuriates but even more so saddens me the depths to which our country has sunk as those who are supposed to have the best interests of all citizens revel in their greed, corruption and quest of ever more power as we sink even deeper into the pit of fascism with each passing day. Both houses of congress, which is now just a disgusting plurality of mostly Trump lackeys who exhibit trembling cowardice at the mere mention of incurring Trump's displeasure. They are not unable but unwilling to stop this horrifying display of his unabated power. Even the media, both print and television, are on tiptoes and caving at the slightest thought that they may say something displeasing to Trump and thus be threatened with license suspension etc. by some lowlife unqualified cabinet appointee.
Yes, I need the break of a birthday celebration with my kids and friends to alleviate somewhat the dour state of affairs in our country right now. I hope we can all find something to celebrate.

orleans

(36,427 posts)
49. 86?? that's fantastic!
Thu Sep 18, 2025, 03:05 PM
Sep 18

take the day -- TAKE THE WHOLE WEEKEND -- off from the stress, the sadness, the anger and the madness and the fucking news. fuck all that shit!

you're 86!! and that's wonderful.

do something nice for yourself. cake, coffee cake, candies? eat some food you enjoy -- maybe something you haven't had in awhile.
BECAUSE IT'S YOUR 86TH BIRTHDAY! JUST DO IT!!!

wear a hat. carry a feather and pretend it's magical. see family (tell them you changed your mind), talk to them, talk to friends, attend your birthday in pajamas or wear something you like wearing. watch a favorite movie (no politics)

you've outlived you know who already so go ahead and be glad about that. take a photo or selfie -- flip him off and then let all the bullshit go.

your birthday is on a friday which means you can treat yourself (and let family treat you) for 3 days! THREE DAYS!!!

go out in nature and fall in love with your surroundings.

please don't let those assholes ruin this time for you; a time that deserves to be special and happy for you. don't give the bad guys that power to control you. (they don't deserve that power)

take a breath.

be happy for all those happy birthdays you've had. go ahead and miss them and miss those times. you're lucky you have those lovely memories. it's not over. you still have time to create some new and warm memories (both for you and for those who will be a part of your special weekend)

go out of your way and make that effort. i'm afraid if you don't you'll end up feeling bad that you didn't.

(and i'd love to see a selfie of you flipping the bird to you know who!)





dwayneb

(1,043 posts)
50. Happy Birthday, anyway!
Thu Sep 18, 2025, 03:15 PM
Sep 18

I'm an old geezer too but you've got a decade and a half on me lol.

Yes it is a sad and depressing time - but did anyone honestly think that the American Dream would last forever?

I'm a realist and even as a kid I understood how fragile our democracy was, and how many ways there were to take us down from within. McCarthy gave it a good run in the 50's I wasn't around for that, but I remember the John Birchers and Nixon with their brands of Fascism. And then of course the real destruction began with the Moral Majority and Rush Limbaugh in the 1980's who laid the foundation for the MAGA monster that we see today.

The difference was that those Administrations back in the 60's and 70's did not have the autocratic tools at their disposal that Trump does today. His weapons of propaganda are 100X as powerful as the primitive radio and television of that era; and in those days we still had the Fairness Doctrine to moderate broadcast media (established in 1949, destroyed by Reagan in 1987).

GreenWave

(11,694 posts)
52. You are young enough to remember USMC Brigadier General Smedley Darlington Butler.
Thu Sep 18, 2025, 03:21 PM
Sep 18

"Don't let the bastards grind you down!"

So get in there, take that picture, eat that cake.

Show the orange bastard he can't get to you on your day. He feeds off our misery. Don't let him.

snowybirdie

(6,361 posts)
53. Celebrate Your life
Thu Sep 18, 2025, 03:24 PM
Sep 18

Put the outside noise away and think about the years you celebrate. Don't let the bad guys win. You do you! Happy birthday and congratulations.

Vinca

(52,740 posts)
56. Don't allow that orange POS to rain on your parade. Say yes to the cake and champagne, too.
Thu Sep 18, 2025, 03:56 PM
Sep 18

Happy Birthday!

Clouds Passing

(5,904 posts)
58. Be kind to your soul tomorrow especially, and every day. We are what we came here for.
Thu Sep 18, 2025, 04:19 PM
Sep 18

I honor your presence on earth young_at_heart 💖

canetoad

(19,527 posts)
59. If you can
Thu Sep 18, 2025, 04:23 PM
Sep 18

Spend your birthday with folks you love and trust and bugger the rest of the world. Happy birthday!

PS I turn 71 today, joing DU in my 40s (just).

young_at_heart

(3,973 posts)
61. Thank you EVERYONE!!
Thu Sep 18, 2025, 05:51 PM
Sep 18

This morning I was feeling so hopeless. I had just read about Jimmy Kimmel (who I love---also Stephen Colbert) and something inside me just snapped. I let "IT" get to me I'm afraid. All of these wonderful, encouraging comments have made me see the situation differently. Part of my melancholy was thinking that this horrible mess might be my last birthday and how on earth could I celebrate under the circumstances? Well, I have calmed down now and read and reread the inspiring comments here and feel so much better now. I was one of the very first DU members....I had a different name then and was horrified at the time about GW being the candidate. Little did I know what was coming......I pray it will be over soon. I'd love for 9/19/2026 to be the opposite of what it is now.....as Captain Kirk would say, "Make it so"!
Thanks again to all the wonderful DU'ers! I read your comments every day and am so grateful to have you in my "old" life!

Grim Chieftain

(641 posts)
63. So glad your mood has lifted, dear young at heart
Thu Sep 18, 2025, 09:13 PM
Sep 18

These are troubling times, but we need to look for the light wherever we can.

Again, have a wonderful birthday tomorrow.

applegrove

(128,383 posts)
64. It is hard for everyone but especially those that grew up
Fri Sep 19, 2025, 01:51 AM
Sep 19

when WWII had just ended and there was still talk of how horrible fascism was.

IzzaNuDay

(1,146 posts)
65. Happy Birthday, and have a good year
Fri Sep 19, 2025, 01:53 AM
Sep 19

Relatively speaking
Focus on the things that give you joy and happiness. Even when on the outside is hell in a hand basket!

Skittles

(167,731 posts)
66. no, do NOT let them take away that joy
Fri Sep 19, 2025, 02:24 AM
Sep 19

and I say that as someone who has never in her life had a birthday party

Heidi

(58,835 posts)
70. Happy birthday, young_at_heart!
Fri Sep 19, 2025, 08:47 AM
Sep 19

Celebrating you and all DUers who—with your tenacity, courage, intelligence and empathy—have made a path forward. Thank you!

MiHale

(12,178 posts)
79. Don't let a bully steal your thunder....HAPPY BIRTHDAY!...
Fri Sep 19, 2025, 02:20 PM
Sep 19

The current administration is akin to an emotion sucking vampire, they achieve their power by sucking us emotionally dry…don’t feed them.

As you awake and open your eyes…you’ll be on the right side of the grass, even if the sky is cloudy there is blue sky above. To make it as far as you have, I’ll bet you have many scars…what’s one more? Smile throughout the day…pass that smile on to another…it’s a form of resistance.

Quiet Em

(2,296 posts)
80. I wanted to take a moment and celebrate you today.
Fri Sep 19, 2025, 02:28 PM
Sep 19

I know you are feeling down, and you are not alone in that feeling, but you help make the world a better place and your are worth celebrating.

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