Life As I See It
and the Decisions we all make
by Richard L Tozzo
This is a summary of my life and some of the events that shaped my future and made me who I am today. I could not write every event or name every person. If I did my story would make War and Peace, look like a short story. I truly hope you enjoy and get something out of it.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Hello, I'm
Richard L Tozzo
I Dedicate This Book To...
My Mom
She was born in 1923 and passed away three months shy of her 100th birthday. She was a hard worker around the house and preferred being home more than any other place, like a captain who never left the ship. Gardening and landscaping were her specialties and passions. Neighbors often complimented her as they passed by. Oddly, she never had a job.
After the divorce, she only socialized with her sister and closest friends. It's unclear why she never took a job; she never said, except to explain that she thought my father would help her. Not sure where she got that idea either. Nevertheless, she was a great mother who loved her children and grandchildren. She was beloved by all who knew her as a kind and cheerful soul. However, I had issues with her because in the last 20 years of her life, she made some serious life-altering mistakes. Despite any warnings from myself and my brother Howard, she continued to support my other brother William, who was 50 and capable of taking care of himself. These decisions had monumental effects. In the end, she lost her beautiful home and died virtually penniless.
My Father
He was also born in 1923 and died at the age of 88. He was a hard worker, as was his heritage, and was the first in his family to graduate college in 1950. He was able to buy a piece of land in North Haven, CT, in 1956 and built a fine home for us all. Despite his lack of patience, he was a good father. His attitude changed until 1968 when his own family became less important to him. I definitely had some issues with his life choices. Ironically, I was with him in Florida when he passed away. My mom was there too; she just happened to be visiting friends who lived in the general area. I distinctly remember my mother leaning over his bed as he was drawing his final breaths. "I'm leaving, Howard, going back to Connecticut," my mother explained.
He looked up and simply said, "Connecticut?" And that was his final word.
It gave me a lump in my throat that I was there to witness the final moments of a 70-year-long relationship.
I was blessed to witness that.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Life As I See It
The main point is to value and cherish the people and moments that matter most, because time doesn't wait for anyone.
We never really know when our last day will come. It's important to find happiness and feel blessed, even during tough times, no matter how hard they may seem. My dad used to tell me something like, "Stop crying or I'll give you something to cry about," and now imagine God saying that. It's a way of emphasizing that we should appreciate what we have and not dwell too much on our difficulties.
The point is, there's always someone who might be going through something tougher than us. It's a reminder to be grateful for what we have and try to find contentment in our lives, even when things are challenging.
Life As I See It - Chapter Preview
Check out a little snippet from each chapter
Chapter 1 - The Roots
"The Bible says, 'Honor your mother and father,' it doesn't say anything about liking them." I was born in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1953. My father worked in the insurance industry, and my mother was a stay-at-home mom. We resided on the third floor of my grandparents' multi-family house. Despite my grandfather passing away in 1956, I still hold vivid memories of him. He was a loving presence in the lives of my brother, Howard, who was born in 1951, and me.
Chapter 2 - Highway Reflections
"If rivers and oceans and mountains can be overcome, anything made by man can be overcome." I got to Daytona and completed the training I needed. and in the spring of 1977, I started my new job as a motorcycle mechanic. Man, was I nervous on that first day! But the team was so welcoming. One mechanic, Wayne, really went out of his way to help me out. We hit it off and became good friends. Even though he moved to another state and we haven’t seen each other in 20 years, we still talk every few months. I’m really thankful for friends like him.
Chapter 3 - A Year of Transformation and Transition
"Robert E. Lee said that when you go into battle, you must give it your all. Hold nothing back. You want it to be your last battle. The same I feel is true with any romantic relationship. Give it your all, hold nothing back." On March 5, 1980, I found myself in the back of an ambulance, headed to a hospital I'd never been to, with an uncertain future ahead. Surprisingly, I wasn't anxious or worried at all. I had just experienced a profound religious moment, but it had slipped from my mind. I was fully awake and aware of my surroundings now. The memory of that peaceful darkness didn't return to me until sometime later.
Chapter 4 - Graduating to the Next Phase of Life
"One can move two but two can move ten. Remember this if and when you are married." In September 1981 I went back to college. I went to a local community college and received a 2 year Associate's degree. Then I went to Quinnipiac College for my next 2 years and graduated in 1985 with a degree in Financial Management. I wanted to work in the investment field. Like a stock broker. But after graduating, I applied to multiple stock brokers for a position, but my lack of experience seemed to be a deal-breaker for all of them. That led me to travel to Washington DC, where I stayed with some close friends, Steve and his wife Maureen. Stayed for approximately 6 months. My time there was incredible—I fell in love with the city and had some unforgettable Saint Patrick's Day celebrations. The experiences were so remarkable that I feel they could fill another book.
Chapter 5 - Real Estate Romance and New Beginnings
"If you could kick the person in the pants responsible for most of your trouble, you would not be able to sit for a month." In 1993, after what I can only describe as a personal rebirth, I found myself pondering my next steps, uncertain of the path ahead. The loss of my Pak Mail store had left a gaping financial void, with my bank account echoing its emptiness. Scrambling for solutions, I managed to sell some equipment from the now-shuttered store, which brought in a modest but crucial lifeline.
Chapter 6 - Real Estate Romance and New Beginnings
"If you could kick the person in the pants responsible for most of your trouble, you would not be able to sit for a month." In 1993, after what I can only describe as a personal rebirth, I found myself pondering my next steps, uncertain of the path ahead. The loss of my Pak Mail store had left a gaping financial void, with my bank account echoing its emptiness. Scrambling for solutions, I managed to sell some equipment from the now-shuttered store, which brought in a modest but crucial lifeline.
Chapter 7 - Embracing Freedom
"If you don't love your job, find one you do." In April 2010, I finally felt the weight of the past lift off my shoulders. The legal dissolution of our marriage brought an unexpected sense of liberation, and I couldn't help but echo the sentiments of Martin Luther King Jr.: "Free at last, free at last, thank God almighty I'm free at last." Surprisingly, Esmeralda and I found ourselves navigating the post-divorce landscape amicably. Our interactions were marked by a newfound civility, a pleasant departure from the unrestrained days of our marriage. Esmeralda, once my spouse and now my ex-wife, remained surprisingly kind and considerate, even going so far as to stop by occasionally. It was a curious turn of events that left me contemplating the enigmatic nature of human relationships. Perhaps the shared freedom from the chains of matrimony allowed us to rediscover a semblance of friendship.
Chapter 8 - What Now?
“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” The last 10 years have been fun but rather uneventful. Working various jobs in the insurance industry. Bought a condo and sold it to buy another. I started hunting wild hogs here in south Florida, as they are a real nuisance. Also did more fishing going on guided trips into the everglades and in any of the 1,000s of places here in Florida. I even managed to get back on the road. Buying a Harley trike which allowed me to ride a motorcycle again.
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Rich Is Available For Interviews
"Life As I See It" is a new book by Richard L Tozzo, a successful entrepreneur, motivational speaker, and author. In this book, Rich shares his personal stories, insights, and lessons learned from his journey of self-discovery and transformation. He reveals how he overcame his challenges, pursued his passions, and achieved his goals. He also offers practical advice and tips for anyone who wants to follow their dreams and live their life to the fullest.
Rich is available for interviews, podcasts, TV, radio, and any other media that would benefit from his inspiring and engaging personality. He can talk about what motivated him to write the book, how he developed his unique writing style, and what he hopes to achieve with his message. He can also share his expertise and experience as a new book author who managed to get his book published and reach a wide audience. Rich is a great public speaker and a very interesting guest who can captivate and entertain any audience.
If you are interested in scheduling Rich to come speak in person or in a video interview, please use the contact form below. He will be happy to hear from you and discuss the details of your request. Don't miss this opportunity to connect with Rich and learn from his wisdom and insights.
Life As I See It
by Richard L Tozzo
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