July 7th, 2025
Mark O'Brien
It seems as if I’ve been seeing more and more articles advising us to avoid electronic devices in bed or at bedtime. Because I’m a word-game junkie, because I play Zen Word in bed on my i-Phone to help me relax before falling asleep, and because after I complete a level in the game, I […]
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June 16th, 2025
Mark O'Brien
Those of you who saw last week’s post are fully aware of the attempt to take advantage of me and my … uh … digestive byproducts. And, like me, you might have thought the story would end there. No such luck. A week ago Saturday, I received registered mail, purporting to be from Exact Sciences, […]
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June 9th, 2025
Mark O'Brien
Prologue In the summer of 1974, I was 20 years old. I was admitted to the Hospital of St. Raphael (now part of Yale New Haven Health) for surgical repair of a Bochdalek hernia. (Since most such hernias manifest symptomatically shortly after birth, how mine came to be diagnosed at such a relatively late point […]
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May 6th, 2024
Mark O'Brien
Author’s Note: May is Mental Health Awareness Month. I offer this post as a means of sharing my experience, even as I grant I’m more fortunate than many. If you or a loved one struggle with mental health, call the NAMI HelpLine at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), text “HelpLine” to 62640, or email [email protected]. If you or […]
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April 2nd, 2024
Mark O'Brien
On April 23rd, I’ll be leading a discussion in Salon 360˚. The title of the session will be the same as the title of this post. Inspired by some of my recent experiences with a longtime friend, the discussion has ties to the Herman Melville short story, “Bartleby the Scrivener”; to Unsheltered: Voices from the […]
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March 20th, 2024
Marc Joseph
In a world filled with fleeting moments and transient experiences, the concept of legacy stands as a testament to the enduring impact individuals can have on society. But do we really need to leave a legacy? According to the Population Reference Bureau, 117 billion members of our species have been born on Earth since the […]
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January 24th, 2024
Marc Joseph
Growing older is a natural part of life’s journey, yet for many, it comes with a sense of loneliness. When we were kids, teenagers, and young adults, we often determined our self-worth by the number of friends we had in our circle. As we begin to get older, we may prefer having fewer, but closer […]
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December 4th, 2023
Mark O'Brien
Those of you who’ve been to the dance with me likely know of my baby brother, Woody. I’m his legal Guardian and Conservator. The day before Thanksgiving, he wasn’t feeling well. One of the staff members from his group home took him to the emergency room (ER). His blood pressure was 66/45. He was kept […]
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September 20th, 2023
Marc Joseph
According to the United States Census, 1 in 6 people in the United States are 65 and older. That compares to 1 in 20, a hundred years ago back in 1920. Social Security benefits are received by 48.6 million Americans. 10,000 Baby Boomers are turning 65 each day. Introduction Retirement is a significant life transition […]
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August 14th, 2023
Mark O'Brien
My name is Daniel. That won’t matter to you because you won’t see me. You’ll pass me by. But you won’t see me. So, my name won’t matter to you any more than I do. But I’m Daniel, nevertheless. Image By Leroy Skalstad From Pixabay.com I can’t decide If it’s odd that you don’t see […]
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