My mother Minnie reached the age of 90 in February of the year she died. We held a party for her on the evening of the day itself in the sheltered housing complex where she lived. She was doubtful that anyone would want to come, but in the end there were 50 people there. She was so happy that night, seeing all of her new friends and family. She had moved down to Birmingham from the North-East where she had lived all of her life until the age of 84, but one of her nieces made the trip for such a special occasion.
I gave a speech, trying to encapsulate all of her long life and many achievements, which culminated in the blowing out of candles and the singing of "Happy birthday to you". Then, in a total surprise to us all, she gave a speech of her own, completely unplanned and unrehearsed. There wasn't a dry eye in the place!
She only lived for another 3 months, but the memory of that night stayed with her.
​