In 2021, White Oaks would like to give our clients and friends a personal look into the lives of our White Oaks family.
Today we are taking a glimpse in the life of Meryl Roberts, White Oak’s Financial Administrator.
What’s your favorite way to spend a day off?
In the spring and summer, I spend my time in my garden. The spring time gives me joy to watch the small little plants pop up after our harsh winter. Weeding relieves me from my stress and helps when I am upset. When I’m not in my garden, I normally spend a part of my day off volunteering in some activities we have at church.
What are your hobbies, and how did you get into them?
Crafting –I love to create things in real life that I have in my mind. My dad is an architect, and very often, he made models of his work at home. I used to collect all his scraps to make stuff as a child – I was even bold enough to sneak using his special, off-limits German Rotring pens and paint brushes at times. These were his things that we were instructed not to touch and use, even now as grown-ups!
Stamps & Coin Collection –as a child, looking into my grandma’s cupboard was like looking into a treasure box. I found an old cardboard flat box and opened it to find my grandpa’s stamp collection. I had discovered small pieces of paper with beautiful pictures that had the names of different countries on them. They were so fascinating and made me think of the things that existed in other countries of the world, and it all fit on such a small piece of paper! At the age of 10, my mum gave me that box which belonged to her father, and my dad explained to me about how one collects stamps. I received my first stamp album from Santa. To this day, when I see a similar stamp, it gives me such a nostalgic feeling.
The coin collection came about as I love to travel. During those travels, I just started collecting coins and currency. I believe it’s the pictures on these that draw me to collect them. I also inherited a few coins from my dad that he had collected as a child.
What’s one thing that can instantly make your day better?
A big tight HUG (specially from my dad and my daughter, Anushka). At work, it is a hug from Cyndi.
What do you love about your job?
Our White Oaks’ family and being there to help and serve clients whenever there’s a need.
What’s your favorite way to spend time with your family?
Playing board games, doing our yearly family jigsaw puzzle, and watching Disney movies again and again.
What makes you proud of your family?
Our simple ways of life and my daughter, Anushka
If you could only teach one thing to your (future) child, what would it be?
Gratitude for the good times and the hard times because we learn from the hard times too.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
I have moved so many times since I was born and grew up in India. I immigrated to Canada, and I am now married and living in Minnesota. I can live anywhere as long as I have my family.
If you could have a super power, what would it be?
To take away hunger and poverty and see children happy and enjoying their childhood, just like I did.
