My dad had a heart attack right before his 90th birthday. We still threw him a big party.

The author's parents at her dad's 90th birthday party.

Courtesy of the author

• My sister and I planned our father's 90th birthday party for months, originally as a surprise.
• He had a heart attack two weeks beforehand, and we wondered if we should cancel the celebration.
• We went ahead with the event after consulting with him and his medical team. It gave Dad such joy.

My father has always been a sociable person who loves nothing better than chatting with relatives, friends, and ex-colleagues.