Author Archives: Patrick F. O'Donnell

Just a Spark of Kindness Lights The Way

Sometimes, it takes a kid to teach us the most important lessons For summer camp this year, our small Scout troop (505, Earl Twp., Pa.) spent a few days at a Scout reservation in Maryland. The kids got to work on merit badges, explore career options, strike up new friendships, and learn leadership and lifeContinue reading “Just a Spark of Kindness Lights The Way”

Nature vs. Nintendo, Treehouses, and a New Project

I’m a firm believer in outdoor time over screen time. I think many of our kids today suffer from NDD – Nature Deficit Disorder (a term coined by author Richard Louv). Those who know me well also know that I’m an avid environmentalist — and that I fully embrace the Reduce, Reuse and Recycle principle.Continue reading “Nature vs. Nintendo, Treehouses, and a New Project”

Fanfare for an uncommon man

The night my Pop died, I knew it would be his last. I’d been working late, writing something for a client, when it suddenly hit me. I clocked out and started writing his eulogy instead. For the next several hours I wrote, revised, and rewrote, then went to bed, exhausted. I woke at 4:50 a.m.Continue reading “Fanfare for an uncommon man”

On life, presence, the speed of childhood and the perils of rushing

Last night I had some rare one-on-one time with my oldest, who will be 9 in what seems like a heartbeat.  As I tucked him in, he asked me to sing him a song – something he hasn’t asked for in a while. I was feeling frustrated, tired, irritable, and just wanted him to goContinue reading “On life, presence, the speed of childhood and the perils of rushing”