On Sunday, October 23rd, 2016: Bright early morning ten minutes before seven o’clock, the soul-stealing arrived at my grandfather’s doorstep, brimming with stories and insights found nowhere else better than my grandfather, it was time for him to go and be with my grandmother and meet many other souls that may have influenced him.

His name was Earl Dick Tozier—a fearless Irishman. He lived a long life—91 years in the circumstances how much he had gone through his life and served country with civic duties. He entered into Navy when he was 17 years old, defying orders from the family, and made him a better man after that. When I found out about my grandfather, I was heart-broken; yet, I felt a mask of benevolence leaving me out often wondering what my life is like to be without my grandfather.

I thank him for his guidance and taught me what it is important to embrace hard-work values. He believed in me and encouraged me to keep my head up when I was going through difficult time. There would be many weekends that he would say, “let’s go and chop more woods”—we would deal with operating various heavy equipment including shovels, tractors, and yarders. I learned the best from him. I thank him the most when he encouraged me to read newspapers more often and would give me anywhere from a quarter to a dollar to get newspaper out of the holder and give to him, but..he wanted me to read first and gave me money just to read. That was the most brilliant innovation of higher learning and made my literacy ranks better each day.

He had a BIG heart in many forms that cannot be replaced. He was the champion in the family—the best cribbage player ever. He was a champion in the Philippines. He was a champion everywhere. The last game between us—he was a champion by skunking me and I refused to be embarrassed to write about this.

I will miss him dearly—he will always cherish in my heart. Like I said, nothing can replace him. He was the one who brought me home on the day I was born 41 years ago, that day—it was snowing filled with heavy white flakes and joy and he was very proud to see a Tozier grandson in his hands. I was pretty sure that he said to himself, nothing could replace our relationship that we will always embrace. I love you, grandpa!

An old Celtic blessing in tribute for you, Earl Dick Tozier:

May the blessing of light be on you—

light without and light within. 

May the blessed sunlight shine on you

and warm your heart 

till it glows like a great peat fire. 

-JT

Copyright © 2016 Jason Tozier

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