The Haven

A Place to Be Funny Without Being a Jerk

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I Do What?

Brian Dickens Barrabee
The Haven
Published in
4 min readFeb 23, 2025
Credit iffany on Pixabay

I know I’m old enough to not be in fear of medical exams, but I am. I always have that apprehensive flutter of butterflies in my stomach when I sit in front of the doctor and he or she delivers some sobering news about some vague ailment that is going to change my eating, sleeping, or, alter the way I normally live my life.

I’m particularly sensitive about my digestive system.

I believe my phobia stems from the old fashion enemas administered to me by my mother while I was lying on the tile bathroom floor. Whenever I questioned the wisdom of these medical ministrations she assured me she was a retired nurse and knew what she wes doing.

Wellness check

Once a year my insurance pays for a wellness check. Now, at 82 years old, I feel I shouldn’t blow the checks off as I’d done in prior years.

I had aches and pains all over in parts I didn’t even know existed.

I felt it was time to take advantage of the benefit included in my coverage.

I was especially nervous when I entered the doctor assigned to me for this wellness visit.

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The Haven
The Haven

Published in The Haven

A Place to Be Funny Without Being a Jerk

Brian Dickens Barrabee
Brian Dickens Barrabee

Written by Brian Dickens Barrabee

Very much involved with the world and likes nothing better than writing about its absurdities. Award winning author who guarantees a laugh or two a story.

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This brings us to the question as to why we want to look for human-like life forms in another part of the universe when we have so little regard for fellow humans on earth.

I love how you pointed out the irony of searching for life elsewhere while not valuing the life we already have here. If we can’t treat each other with kindness, what makes us ready to meet beings from another world?

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Barbara Tuchman wrote a detailed book about war motivation called "The Proud Tower." The part that sticks with me is how the 19th century European Imperial countries had a meeting. Purportedly to establish rules for a better world, they voted…

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Thanks for sharing Sravasti ... found your write up interesting ... Lets network and grow ...

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