An Intentional Life

Robert Sidney Hosking died on September 3rd, 2023. He is my grandfather.

I had the privilege of sharing his life sketch at his funeral. It was a weighty task in some ways. My grandfather was not a verbal communicator and much of his life is shrouded in mystery to me. I did my best to share what I knew, or learned, about him. The last few paragraphs are still replaying in my head.

“…..Quietly, he was always there, with his unwavering strength.

When his beloved wife of nearly 70 years passed away on November 30th, 2021 I think a piece of grandpa may of gone with her. But he continued on with the same bravery that he always exemplified throughout his life. He was one of the strongest men I have ever known. I don’t know that anyone will ever fully know the burdens that he must have carried throughout this life, but he was always, always brave.

After he passed one of my sister’s and I were reflecting on his life and she said, grandpa was as much of a legend as he was a man. Though he was not a man of many words his life was awe inspiring, even legendary. He was the man who could fix anything (and fix it the RIGHT way), the Harley driving, seasoned pilot who could cook a mean batch of stew & mastered the art of woodworking. He could bowl a 200 game well into his 80’s. He drove snow machines like a pro & overcame insurmountable obstacles. He could fix cars & he knew the answer to every question. 

He taught his boys to be men. 

He loved his wife.

And though he didn’t say it often, we all knew he loved us. “

Robert Sidney Hosking Life Sketch, by Ky Stucki

I will miss him so much. I know that I will see him again and I find peace in that. I think much of my sadness comes in thinking about the fact that my children and grandchildren won’t get to know him the way I knew him. I know it was his time to go, he couldn’t stay forever.

That is the profound beauty of life. After our loved ones pass they leave behind transcendent memories. Memories that can be passed down from one generation to the next; if we pass them on.

Intention: Share the lives of those we love who had an impact on us so that others can reap the benefits of knowing a little piece of that person.