In loving memory of Bob (Robert) Michael Kos

  Shares at the Service

    Into the Still Earth

I look behind me,
Into the still Earth, the Sun is setting fast,
Its effulgent, orange glow,
I'm already starting to miss.
The Moon then appears to me,
Muse of the empty sky,
But console she does not,
For the moon is as tearful as I am.
See how she follows the sun to the horizon each night?
See how she glows and reflects his great light?

Beneath the blackened slopes of pine she'll sink
And in time the climb to morning.

But for now we're left with the cold winds that whine
Of your leaving us to the rustling night,
The smooth plight of fir trees in slow solemn dance
The Fluttering of birch leaves in cool windswept trance.
See how the wind wanders howling in search
And finds itself met by the lake?
Whose mystery, in darkness or daylight is kept
And though the wind tempts it, it holds to the clay.

The wind comes and goes in its sorrowful haste,
The moon wanders slow with celestial grace
Her light moves our tears as the waters below,
Empty, the echoes abound in this place,
But we remember the birdsong of morning.

      Sarah Macdonald


        Kindred Spirit

It almost seems impossible to ever say goodbye
to a man who's strength and fortitude always made us high
we asked our God frequently to grant him peace and joy
because our Bob although grown up was still that little boy.

His innocence did warm our hearts
we never will forget
those times when we would laugh and joke
those times with no regret.

His plight was never to give up
courage was his duty
but when four o'clock came rolling round
it was time to watch "Judge Judy".

We all had times when we did sing,
remember when we danced?
we took every opportunity to love you Bob
we did it at every chance.

All of us who loved you Bob have learned to cope you see
you taught us when the pain comes down that's when to just believe
that God protects through thick and thin, his mercy shines within
Your lesson showed us all you know, don't let the ego win.

Acceptance is the answer to all our problems today
if we just trust that all is right and not forget to pray
but when these times are in our midst we understand it's best
that Bob be with your maker now ~ Bob finally you're at rest

My cribbage partner's gone, alas, but I always will remember
patiently with cards in hand, did beat me in September
good bye my sweet, remember us and come and visit often
your spirit will never leave us, Bob, you'll never be forgotten.

              Helen McPhee
        ~ from all your caregivers ~



Hi,
I am Norine

It would have been 20 years this summer that Bob and I had been friends. We met when we were both hired at Rogers cable, Bob had just moved here from Toronto and I from Calgary. We were both new to the city and we became fast friends. In 20 years I have many fond memories of Bob. In the early years when Bob had full mobility we would do the typical things young people do, movies, picnics, parties, dinners out. We took the Royal Hudson steam train and Britannia cruise up to Squamish and visited many local hot spots. Bob and I made an annual pilgrimage to the PNE for about 10 years and every time we would play bingo, I would win. He decided he was my good luck charm for bingo. He loved lotteries and dreamed about winning the big one.

His humour was an ever present joy and we shared many laughs and good natured teasings over the years. Alice and I were blessed to see Bob the day before he died and and while we shared our tears we also had some laughter. For levity Bob asked us if we could smuggle some booze in next time as we reminisced about old times.

He loved people, he loved dogs, he was on a spiritual quest, he was quick to laugh, a gentle soul with a gigantic heart and a true gentleman. He was generous, courageous and for me he embodied the word strength.

Bob endured many painful operations and rehabilitation and always met these challenges with dignity and perseverance. I remember one of these operations when they had broken his neck and back and placed inside a steel rod alongside his spine to straighten his posture. This required months and years and he was so dedicated to the process.

I have this strong image of him when he was still living in Coquitlam. Alice and I had come to pick him up go out to IHOP Bob's favorite restaurant at the time. They had finally removed his halo apparatus and he came out to meet us standing so tall, smiling and looking so proud of all the work and rehab he done and there he was as he had wanted to be. That image will always inspire me. I told Bob once that he was the strongest person I knew and he was taken aback by that. Surprised as he did not seem to see that great strength that others saw in him. Or maybe it was only his humility. His quiet determination and unfailing diligence for taking each day as it came and appreciating life as it is regardless will always guide me along my journey.

My life is all the richer for having known Bob and I am so grateful for having been his friend. He is in my heart forever.


Hi, my name is Alice,

I met Bob 19 years ago in Vancouver and valued and appreciated his friendship throughout the past 19 years. First of all, I would like to convey how much Bob loved his Mother and sister. He would talk about them often with such happiness in his heart.

Bob had many wonderful qualities:
  He was very patient and kind
  He was very gentle
  He had a wonderful sense of humour
  He enjoyed being out in nature
  He loved watching movies and videos
  He loved working and exploring on his computer
  He loved photography and taking pictures on his camera
  He loved animals especially dogs.

Bob's birthday was close in time in mine, his on May 24 and mine on June 1st, so each year Bob and I and Norine would get together at various different restaurants such as the IHOP in Coquitlam or the Pantry or Fronds in White Rock and have lunch and exchange gifts.

Other special things we would enjoy doing together were:

  Going to the mall both in Coquitlam and Whiterock where we would go to the food fare for coffee and a snack and then wonder around the mall doing some shopping. In the earlier years Bob was able to walk around the mall and in later times he maneuvered around in his scooter.
  Going out to special nature spots including Jericho beach, Wreck Beach, Gastown, Stanley Park, Buntzen lake in Coquitlam and the beach and boardwalk in White Rock.
  Going to movies at the movie theatre in Coquitlam.
  Getting together each Christmas to exchange gifts.

This was the first Christmas where Norine and I were not able to make it out to see Bob because we were both working over the Christmas season. So we felt so fortunate and blessed that Kala called us and let us know Bob was very sick and had requested that his friends come out to see him to say goodbye. Bob was extremely brave when we saw him on Thursday February 8th. He was lucid and open and calm. Norine and I were able to spend over an hour with Bob on that day and to hold his hands and be quiet together as well as talk. We all made a pact to hold Bob in our hearts for ever and Bob said he would do the same and he had held us in his heart long ago. Bob was so brave and independent on this day as he had made the decision to go off his meds the Sunday before and was clear, open, brave and aware of the decision he had made. I will never forger how brave and open he was. It was an awesome experience and I hope that when that time comes for me, I will be able to be as brave and aware as Bob.

Bob was a compassionate and gentle soul and I will miss him and remember him in my heart forever.


A Farewell To Bob

I am a new friend to the Kos family and have been welcomed into their circle of love with open arms! I had the great opportunity to meet Bob twice in his the final week on earth. Both times, his beautiful brown eyes shared a deep, unconditional love and a great strength of spirit. I felt joyous in his peaceful presence!

I would like to share a few observations of the timing of Bob's passing over…

It is fitting for us to be celebrating Bob's life during Random Acts of Kindness Week. He was one of those people who was just naturally kind to all those he met, and those ripples shall live on in each one of us here.

It has been said, that on a soul level, we choose our date of birth. Our soul also makes a statement about the time we choose to leave this earth.

Bob's 'knowing' wise spirit chose to pass during the fourth quarter of the moon. The last quarter begins the final 7 day phase of the moon before it goes dark and then a New Moon. It is the time when things can be let go of and released. It is also the time when infinite insights are made.

This time just prior to the New Moon is called, the Balsamic Moon, which is a time for introspection, a time to rest and dream.

Bob's transition has been soulfully perfected. Tonight is the eve of the greatest New Moon of the Year! A time of abundant joy and hope.

Bob and family, I thank you for all you have taught me about life and love. You are all a true gift!

Your friend, Debbie Riopel


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