Ted Kennedy Turns 77

In the mind's eye, Sen. Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts is still in the prime of his life, like his brothers, who were murdered in their 40s and will remain forever young.

Some of us remember the young man who so eloquently eulogized Bobby Kennedy in 1968 — or whose national ambitions were dashed a year later when his car plunged into the waters of Chappaquiddick and a young woman died.

Others remember the Ted Kennedy of three decades ago, who made his only bid for the Democratic presidential nomination when he challenged incumbent President Jimmy Carter and fell short, even though he won 10 primaries. That summer, at the convention, Kennedy delivered perhaps the most memorable speech a non-nominee has given in modern times and hinted that he would seek the nomination again, although he never did.

And the memory of that 1980 convention appearance may always be linked, fairly or unfairly, with the memory of Kennedy refusing to shake Carter's hand.

With those memories vivid in our minds, it still comes as a shock when we see Kennedy today — an elderly man whose dark brown hair has turned completely white. His tenure in the Senate is now longer than the span of his brother Bobby's entire life — and just about as long as John's.

And it is especially stunning when one realizes it has been more than nine months since Kennedy was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. People who are diagnosed with such a medical condition generally live for about a year, perhaps a little longer. But, in spite of the fact that he suffered a seizure at the presidential inaugural luncheon last month, he seems to be doing quite well.

"Hold the eulogies," writes Mark Leibovich of the New York Times.

What has been true of others has never been true of Ted Kennedy. He may live longer than many expect — long enough to achieve his goal of leaving a lasting imprint on the nation's health care system.

Happy birthday, senator. And many, many more.