Author Archives: Todd Gaddy

The Eight Friends We Need

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It might take a lifetime, but may we meet them. And know them. And be them.

The veteran
Someone you’ve known a long time. You’ve shared a few foxholes and trenches. Ups and downs, battle scars, disappointments, and celebrations, they’ve been there. And still are.

The reader
Someone who reads. Books. The kind with pages made of paper. They know the joy of stimulating their mind and expanding their imagination and skills and vocabulary. Their recommendations carry weight. Because their intellectual pursuit backs them up.

The encourager
Someone who believes in you. And tells you so. Frequently. When you’re struggling, they speak life. Not happy-talk. Confident realism. They recognize things like nuance, the mundane, and the extraordinary, and provide balance with a side of up.

The older
Someone who’s older than you. Maybe by quite a bit. Someone whose life experiences and perspective provide credibility your age hasn’t yet realized. When they talk, you listen. Because your future is speaking.

The accountant
Someone who can shoot straight with you. They know your strengths and celebrate them. And know your weaknesses and discuss them, candidly and kindly. They strengthen what you’re good at and identify your blind spots because the light they shine is bright, compassionate, and thorough.

The lifer
Someone who’s committed to being your friend until they die or you die. Clear enough? You know their commitment because of both their words and actions. And more of the latter. They’re in it for the long haul because they’ve been in it for the long haul. Consistent. Steady. There. Forever.

The different
Someone who’s not like you. Hopefully, at all. Different views. Different background. Different thoughts. They don’t sing in your choir. And yet you recognize their humanity and worth. And that’s enough to relate. Deeply.

The windshield
Someone who focuses on forward. Especially when you’ve made a mess. Not because they minimize the mistakes, or ignore the consequences, but because they know onward is a choice and what’s behind you can’t be changed. They know when hope can help. And hand it to you.

My First Book – Launch Day

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Paperback for $7.99 (USD) on Amazon

Kindle E-Book for $2.99 (USD) on Amazon

Launching today, Tuesday, January 10, 2023, my first book:

“We’re Going To Make It: What Parents Need and Want To Know”

It’s been years in the making. About 22 to be more specific. That’s how long I’ve been a dad, and what a ride.

Throughout the twists and turns and mundane and unexpected of parenting, I’ve written some stuff about it. It’s how I process things.

And I’ve finally put a bunch of it together in hopes that it can inspire, encourage, and help other parents in the trenches.

It’s a short read but I feel confident it’ll help dads and moms.

Included:

– 7 Days of Affirmations to Give Your Child

– 19 Things To Do With Your Children That They’ll Never Forget

– 31 Reminders for Children

– 3 Letters I’ve Written to My Daughters (during puberty, about social media and screen time, and navigating college expense)

Pick up a copy. Or a bunch.

Share the news with a friend.

Leave a review on Amazon.

Let me know what you think.

Thank you for checking out the thoughts of an imperfect dad, navigating the greatest opportunity life has to offer.

And to my fellow dads and moms… we are going to make it.

Run On… To London

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It’s hard to believe that it’s been (almost exactly) a year since I was privileged to partner with many friends to help raise money for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and my Run On Challenge in April 2021 on the York County Heritage Rail Trail in Pennsylvania and the North Central Rail Trail in Maryland.

With a whole lot of help, we were able to raise $6,427.76 to help the NMSS continue their research and work for those battling MS. As someone who is a direct recipient of what they do, thank you SO much.

And here’s something really cool… another year has bought another opportunity to help people with Multiple Sclerosis.
I found out this month that I’ve been invited to be a part of the MS Society UK London Marathon team on Sunday, October 2, 2022.
Along with thousands of others, we’ll be running 26.2 miles through the streets of London, and, leading up to the race, raising funds to help my brothers and sisters in the UK who like me are dealing with MS.

With groceries and gas and a bunch of other stuff, I know it’s a crazy time for budgets, but would you be willing and able, at any amount, to help me as I raise funds for the MS Society UK?
I’d be deeply grateful for any consideration and help.

My personal website has more info about my journey and the work of the MS Society UK, plus there are easy links to use:

1) to give safely and securely,
2) and if you’re local and are interested, help me on a training run if you’re interested 🙂

https://toddgaddy.com/

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Again, I’m humbled by your consideration and your generosity.
Together, we can make a difference.

Let’s Run On,
Todd

In His Hands

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There’s no part of what happens today about which God is not already aware. We will know about it eventually. He knows about it already. All of it.

That makes trust in him for the day well-placed trust. Understanding becomes less important when things like a day are placed in the hands of one for whom the unknown is a foreign concept.

He knows.
What?
Everything.
He’s above.
What?
Everything.

Today. Don’t be afraid. Empty your worry. Let what you hope is true prove Himself. Again.

He will.

Our lives are in his hands, and he keeps our feet from stumbling. – Psalm 66:9