It’s been a while since I’ve written about Rob and Laura, my spunky nonagenarian clients. Last week Rob turned 95 and I gave him these socks –
The birthday card I selected had two Shih Tzus on the cover (featured photo). The inside read – If it were anyone else’s birthday I wouldn’t give two Shih Tzu. I had a twinge of concern that this card might be too racy but I gambled and won. I stopped by the afternoon of Rob’s birthday to drop off his gift and say hello in person. One of his daughters was there with her husband, they all approved. The socks were such a hit that Rob decided to wear them to his birthday dinner, truly an honor.
Last week I asked Rob if he only wore the white diabetic socks that I see him in. He confided that on Sundays he wears brown socks to attend meeting. Meeting is the Quaker version of a worship service. It is a quiet gathering unless a member has a desire to share something. I’ll be honest I don’t know much about it, they seem like a very chill group.
If you watch the show Catastrophe, the main character, Rob (coincidence?), becomes a Quaker for about 3 minutes and the portrayal seems fairly accurate to me. Rob & Laura have mentioned the firm wooden pews at meeting and how they are likely designed to discourage people from getting too long winded. They noted that all of the meetings they have attended feature firm uncomfortable seating except for England where they had fancy upholstered chairs. By the way Catastrophe is an excellent show if you’re in the market for viewing something with razor edge humor which embraces the messier aspects of modern parenting and couple-hood.
Happy Birthday Rob – 95 looks great on you!
Was that my out loud voice? 
Those socks though, you seem to know exactly what to give these amazing people. 95 years on this earth, I can’t imagine the things Robs seen and done. A conversation with him must be so intriguing!
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Always interesting!
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I can just imagine the stories those two could tell! Happy 95th Rob! Congratulations.
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He’s still very lucid and engaging, a joy to be around. His wife is starting to slip a bit, not bad for 92 though. I adore them!
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I really like that show, very funny.
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Did you watch all of it? I loved every bit of it!!!
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My mom lived to just 2 months shy of her 96th birthday, she saw so much in her time, I wish I’d written more down.
It is great that you do what you do. I know Rob and Laura love you.
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Thanks Paul!
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Happy birthday to Rob, and those are amazing socks. Those would be a great gift at any age.
I used to be part of a writers’ group that met at a Quaker meeting house. None of us in the group were Quakers but they were very cool about letting us use the space, and it was a very nice space.
That sums up Quakers for me.
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I have an entire collection of sassy socks, love them. The Quakers do seem like a very chill group kind of like the Golden Retriever of religions…
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Great post. My husband and I love the show Catastrophe also. The humor is awesome, I totally agree with your comments on it.
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I love the socks and the card! Rob and Laura made me think of the old Dick Van Dyke show with Mary Tyler Moore. Rob and Laura Petry. xoxox
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Thanks! That show was the inspiration for their names in my blog. I keep their real names private – glad you noticed.
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