By Larissa Dann. (printable version of questions here) For me, the day my father celebrated his 85th birthday was particularly poignant. He had had metastatic cancer, two hip replacements, pneumonia and numerous other hospital stays over the last 18 months. I did not think he would make the distance.In a country hall clad in peeling pressed tin, we festooned the interior with streamers and balloons. Australian wildflowers decorated the white-clothed tables, while blue pews, waiting to be filled with partygoers, lined the edges of the wooden floor.