By Darlene Franklin

“I’ll give you a full life in the emptiest of places.”
Whoa. Isaiah’s words brought me to an abrupt halt. My life in a nursing home often felt like an empty place.
Literally speaking, my half of a shared room in a nursing home was far from empty. The essence of six decades of life was crammed into a few square feet. Correspondence, presents, toiletries, clothes, doo-dads filled my dressers to overflowing. Family pictures and framed poetry by my daughter brightened my walls. The fifty-plus books I’d written strained my six-foot bookshelf, and my clothes crowded my half of the rod.
When we added a hospital bed, bi-pap machine, oxygen generator, walker, and laptop, my roommate and I could barely wheel through the room. My wheelchair spent the night in the hallway because it blocked my path to the bathroom. My bedtable doubled as work space and dining room.
The crowded room reminded me of what wasn’t here. My beloved cat. Shelves of family photographs. Family recipes. Daily routines varied little. How often did I get outside? How many meals excites my palate? Whom could I chat with, with a speech-impaired roommate and aides busy working?
So when I read that God wanted to give me a full life in an empty place, I jumped to attention. How could I find a full life in this place?
The answer was both simple and complex. I could have a full life because God was infinite. My circumstances didn’t limit Him.
Yesterday I expected a very empty day. My daughter should have celebrated her thirty-second birthday. Instead, she died at her own hand eight years ago.
In my quiet time, I read a quote by Cecil Murphey in Knowing God, Knowing Myself, “No matter how many times I examine the past, there’s nothing I can do to change it.” I needed that reminder to let the guilt go, and to rejoice that Jolene is waiting for me in heaven.
Running late for our mid-week Bible study, I fought the urge to get flustered and agitated-my go-to reaction when I’m stressed. Instead of muttering complaints, I stayed calm. On the way down the hall, an aide asked us to pray for her mother at our meeting. The short contact expanded my sense of belonging. Cheers greeted my arrival, since I’m the pianist. Accompanying hymns has been a life-long joy, something that cheers myself as well as others.
The pastor’s youngest daughter rushed to hug me before the song service started. Of the hymns we sang, I only knew half. But I had developed my God-given talent by playing through dozens of hymnals. Sight-reading a new one came fairly easily, and the fellow musician’s testimony touched me.
My arthritic fingers made more mistakes than they used to, but the congregation loved having the instrument. The piano made the music stronger.
The sermon, on God’s love. spoke to me more powerfully than usual. In a few recent failures, I chose anger over trusting God. Since God loved me, and I claimed to love God, my life should show it.
After the service, the little girl returned with her three sisters and all four hugged me. I returned their embrace, reminded of my own grandchildren across the country enjoying spring break. The love, freely given by the pastor’s children, met my need for human touch.
After lunch, I jumped into work, final edits on my next novella. Recently I sold another novella to a “traditional” publisher, keeping my work schedule full.
Not to mention the fact that I could work at all. There were very jobs one could do from inside a nursing home. Author happened to be one of them.
My latest order from a clothing store arrived and I got to touch and feel the soft robe and see the exact pattern of the pink and white checks. Now I can walk modestly from my room to the shower.
If the day wasn’t already full enough, I had restorative therapy for the first time in over a month. Arms and legs, back and forth, up and down, working for those “firm muscles and strong bones” that God promised in another passage.
If one day could be that full, what about tomorrow? God’s love, flowing in, through, and out of me filled my life even in empty places.
Best-selling hybrid author Darlene Franklin’s greatest claim to fame is that she writes full-time from a nursing home. This year she expects to reach fifty unique titles in print and she’s also contributed to more than twenty nonfiction titles. Her column, “The View Through my Door,” appears in four monthly magazines.

There is no guidebook or manual covering all the complexities associated with getting older. The self-help section of every bookstore boasts several topics ranging from helping aging parents and financing retirement, to health and wellness advice or dealing with those ever returning boomerang kids, but there is no one-size-fits-all model for aging successfully.
It is with this in mind that Nikki and Chris Buckelew and their real estate team’s mature moves division launched the “Senior Living Truth Series” back in 2016. The series includes a monthly educational program made up of seminars and expert panels dealing with topics important to mature homeowners.
“Because our team specializes in helping people who have lived in the same home for many years, we field questions daily on a range of topics. It’s important to be aligned with highly competent professionals we can recommend,” says Nikki Buckelew. “We introduce seminar attendees to these professionals through our expert panels.”
Seminar attendees are often either looking ahead to prepare for their own post-retirement lifestyle or are caring for an aging relative or friend. They are seeking answers to questions like what types of 55+ housing options are available, where to get support, how to pay for long-term care needs, ways to simplify and de-clutter, and more.
“Our attendees are smart people and when they have the resources they need, they feel more capable of making decisions. We all feel that way and that’s why we developed the series,” adds Buckelew.
Those attracted to the seminars appreciate the professional and organized fashion in which the seminars are delivered.
“The seminars are well-organized and well presented,” said Frank Andrews, a retired corporate trainer.
Frank and Carol are familiar faces at the truth series events and began attending after seeing an article in the paper.
“It’s about learning that you have to plan early and about understanding what you need and what you don’t,” added Carol. Jennifer Forrester, Community Relations Director with Oklahoma Hospice Care, a regular sponsor of the event, said the series has a way of helping people deal with the hard questions a lot of people tend to avoid.
“Nikki is the only Realtor I know who has a background in both counseling and gerontology, and as the moderator she has a way of taking hard topics and making them lighter and easier to talk about,” Forrester said. “She just says it like it is and doesn’t apologize for it.”
The Buckelews and their specialized team have made it their personal and professional mission to educate and guide consumers about best practices related to post-retirement living.
“People are doing the best they can and credible information is hard to find. Our attendees tell us they appreciate meeting local people with whom they can have a personal conversation without feeling pressured or rushed,” says Chris Buckelew.
James and Joan DonDero began attending the seminars a year ago.
“We attend frequently and chose to meet with the Buckelews personally to talk about downsizing in the future. It was just what they said – no pressure and no sales pitch,” said James.
The seminars serve to empower, equip, and educate by providing information to help people think about what their next steps might be and the timing to begin taking them.
“Going to the seminars helped us realize we had some things to think through,” added Joan.
The next event is titled “The Truth About Successfully Aging in Place” on July 13th from 10:00am – 11:30am and from 2pm – 3:30pm. The morning event has reached capacity and reservations are being accepted for the afternoon event.
“We know that people prefer to remain in their own homes and neighborhoods for as long as possible. The challenge is many have not prepared and need information on best practices for ‘staying put’,” Buckelew said.
The August event is titled “The Truth About De-cluttering Your Home.” With morning and afternoon sessions starting at 10am and 2pm.
Events are held at the MAPS3 Senior Health & Wellness Center located at 11501 N Rockwell in Oklahoma City. Pre-registration is required and space is limited. Admission is free for those 55 or older and their guests. Professionals pay $25. Go to www.seniorlivingtruthseries.com or call 405-563-7501 to register.

By Angela Brice-Smith, MPA, RN – Regional Administrator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Region VI (AK, LA, NM, TX, OK)

Medicare is taking steps to remove Social Security numbers from Medicare cards. Through this initiative the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will prevent fraud, fight identity theft and protect essential program funding and the private healthcare and financial information of our Medicare beneficiaries.
CMS will issue new Medicare cards with a new unique, randomly-assigned number called a Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI) to replace the existing Social Security-based Health Insurance Claim Number (HICN) both on the cards and in various CMS systems we use now. We’ll start mailing new cards to people with Medicare benefits in April 2018. All Medicare cards will be replaced by April 2019.
CMS is committed to helping providers by giving them the tools they need. We want to make this process as easy as possible for you, your patients, and your staff. Based on feedback from healthcare providers, practice managers and other stakeholders, CMS is developing capabilities where doctors and other healthcare providers will be able to look up the new MBI through a secure tool at the point of service. To make this change easier for you and your business operations, there is a 21-month transition period where all healthcare providers will be able to use either the MBI or the HICN for billing purposes.
Even though, your systems will need the capability to accept the new MBI format by April 2018, you can continue to bill and file healthcare claims using a patient’s HICN during the transition period. We encourage you to work with your billing vendor to make sure that your system will be updated to reflect these changes as well.
Beginning in April 2018, Medicare patients will come to your office with new cards in hand. We’re committed to giving you information you need to help your office get ready for new Medicare cards and MBIs.
Here are 5 steps you can take today to help your office or healthcare facility get ready:
1. Go to our provider website and sign-up for the weekly MLN Connects® newsletter.
2. Attend our quarterly calls to get more information. We’ll let you know when calls are scheduled in the MLN Connects newsletter.
3. Verify all of your Medicare patients’ addresses. If the addresses you have on file are different than the Medicare address you get on electronic eligibility transactions, ask your patients to contact Social Security and update their Medicare records.
4. Work with us to help your Medicare patients adjust to their new Medicare card. When available later this fall, you can display helpful information about the new Medicare cards. Hang posters about the change in your offices to help us spread the word.
5. Test your system changes and work with your billing office staff to be sure your office is ready to use the new MBI format.
We’ll keep working closely with you to answer your questions and hear your concerns. To learn more, visit: cms.gov/Medicare/SSNRI/Providers/Providers.html

The Oklahoma City Community Foundation recently awarded $97,500 to six charitable organizations in central Oklahoma providing services for elderly citizens.
“Seniors are in need of programs that help them to live happy, healthy lives,” says Whitney Moore, development director for recent grant recipient Oklahoma City Ballet. “Remaining active as seniors age is very important in maintaining their independence and health.”
The Community Foundation’s Services for the Elderly iFund program supports organizations that provide direct services for our community’s older citizens who still live in their homes. By supporting wellness and exercise activities, this program helps to allow independent living to continue and provides positive social and recreational opportunities improving their quality of life.
“Oklahoma City is continually listed as one of the nation’s least healthy cities. The Oklahoma City Community Foundation is actively working to change this by creating a culture of health and wellness in central Oklahoma,” Oklahoma City Community Foundation President Nancy B. Anthony said. “We are pleased to work with charitable organizations that share our vision and provide creative solutions to improve the lives of citizens in our community.”
The following grants were awarded through the Services for the Elderly iFund:
American Red Cross of Central Oklahoma – $12,500 for a campaign to prevent home fires among elderly residents.
NewView Oklahoma – $20,000 for a medication management program for seniors who are vision-impaired.
Oklahoma City Ballet – $10,000 for the Golden Swans program providing ballet classes to help improve senior mobility.
Rebuilding Together OKC – $20,000 to provide critical heating, cooling and electrical repairs to low-income seniors allowing them to remain safe, warm and dry in their homes.
Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma – $20,000 to provide nutritious food and healthy living resources to low-income seniors.
The Salvation Army Central Oklahoma Area Command – $15,000 to support the Senior Watch program that provides immediate, short-term assistance for seniors in need of additional household, emotional or spiritual support.
An initiative of the Oklahoma City Community Foundation Trustees, the iFund program utilizes gifts from donors to support services for children and elderly, as well as provide access to health care. Since 2011, the iFund program has awarded more than $2.5 million to charitable organizations serving central Oklahoma. For more information, visit www.iFundokc.org.
Founded in 1969, the Oklahoma City Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity that works with donors to create charitable funds that will benefit our community both now and in the future. To learn more about the Oklahoma City Community Foundation, visit www.occf.org.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oklahoma has submitted a Qualified Health Plan application, along with rates, for certification in the federally-facilitated exchange for 2018. This is an initial indication that, for the second straight year, only one insurer in Oklahoma will offer exchange products in the individual market.
“There is an incredible amount of uncertainty in the market right now,” said Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner John D. Doak. “Insurers participating in Obamacare have experienced major losses. While we expect a full repeal of this disastrous experiment, insurers have to go by the regulations in place right now. That’s why we’ve seen so many insurers dropping out of exchanges across the country or resorting to double digit premium increases.”
The Oklahoma Insurance Department does not have statutory authority to approve or deny rate increases filed by insurers on the federal exchange. Oklahoma, along with Texas and Wyoming, is a direct enforcement state with no authority to enforce provisions of the Affordable Care Act.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) intends to post information on proposed rate filings for consumers to review on https://ratereview.healthcare.gov on Aug. 1, 2017. In compliance with state statutes, OID cannot release or comment on the rates until that time. CMS officials will review the proposed rate changes, determine if they are justified and post final rate information on Nov. 1, 2017 in time for open enrollment.
According to the American Academy of Actuaries, individual market stability, including insurer decisions on participation for 2018, hinges on:
* Continued funding of cost-sharing reduction (CSR) reimbursements.
* Enforcement of the individual responsibility penalty.
* Risk mitigation mechanisms aimed at lowering premiums, increasing enrollment and improving the risk pool.
* Avoiding legislative or regulatory actions that could increase uncertainty or threaten stability.
State Question 756, passed in 2010, amended the Oklahoma Constitution to prohibit laws which compel individuals, employers and providers to participate in health care systems. Because of that legislative change, insurers offering products on the Oklahoma exchange are required to submit rate filing justifications to CMS for evaluation and approval.
History of Oklahoma Exchange Carrier Participation
2017 – Blue Cross Blue Shield
2016 – Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Healthcare
2015 – Blue Cross Blue Shield, Community Care, Global Health, Assurant
2014 – Blue Cross Blue Shield, Community Care, Global Health, Aetna, Coventry

Photography and Text by Terry “Travels with Terry” Zinn t4z@aol.com

Travel before July 28 to experience the art and intellect of noted Oklahoma artist, Connie Seabourn, at the Oklahoma City University Nona Jean Hulsey Gallery, ion the Norick Art Center. Connie’s exhibition of 45 paintings, “The Feminine Face of God,” shows her thoughts on how God is not limited by gender, race or age.
“Several of the paintings deal with how God/Goddess/Spirit is understood through various religions,“ says Connie. “Myths and cultural stories help explain those things that we individually or as a culture, feel and know, but can’t otherwise explain.” Connie continues, “The overlapping of stories and differing version basically the same stories in various religions makes it even more real to me, rather than making me throw out or questions the entire myth.”
Connie Seabourn is daughter of veteran senior Oklahoma artist Bert Seabourn, and as such has always grown up in an artistic atmosphere. Connie says, “Growing up in a home filed with art and musical influences, I’ve been making art as long as I can remember. Although I was winning awards and selling artworks as a child, I began exhibition in adult competitions and museum shows at the age of 18.”
She received a B.F.A. from the University of Oklahoma and a M.Ed. in art education from the University of Central Oklahoma, in Edmond. Most of her career has been making fine art full-time, she also has taught part –time as an adjunct college professor for seven and a half years and taught art in public schools, grades K – 12 for nine years.
Her intellectual prowess shows itself in this current art showing where her paintings are inspired by “A God Who Looks Like Me,” based on a book by Patricia Lynn Reilly, and “God Holds Us In Her Arms Like a Mother/God Loves us Like a Mother” a reference to Isaiah 49:8-15.
Connie says, “When I pictured God in my mind, He was always male – that is, until Sister Klein told us about early, inspired writings, original texts (many of these from the Bible), that sometimes referred to God as She, which sometimes talked about God loving us as a Mother. That feels right; it rings true. God is neither Father nor Mother, but we can only understand God better by making those familiar comparison. God isn’t limited by gender!”
While the art is influence by traditions and myths, you need not know about or recognize these references to enjoy and appreciate her artistic craft and interpretation. Her ethereal painting style lends itself perfectly for this subject matter, where spirits and classical figures may float faintly around and in her current work.
Connie’s artistic talent doesn’t fall far from her artistic father, Bert Seabourn. In a mission statement Bert says,” Paintings should contest the creative elements. Order versus chaos: contemplative versus emotional; raw versus refined, I try to make each piece of art a unique fusion of design, color, form and composition, using a layering of texture with drips, smears, runs and splatters. The responsibility of the artist is to make a unique experience for himself and the viewer.”
Bert Seabourn’s artistic success is proven with inclusion in the collection of the Vatican, the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC, American Embassy, London, England, China’s national Palace Museum and Moscow University. In Oklahoma City his 23-foot tall bronze of “Wind Walker” is on exhibit at the southwestern Bell State Headquarters, and is a frequent exhibitor at the 50 Penn Place Gallery. Bert and wife Bonnie have been married 67 years.
Connie also is a veteran artist having exhibited in galleries from coast to coast and has her works in many public, corporate and museum collections. She also has produced art for greeting cards by Leanin’ Tree, of Longmont, Colorado. She has created covers for several books including 22 full page illustrations for “Rainbow Spirit Journeys: Native American Meditations and Dreams.”
A leisurely travel through “The Feminine Face of God,” is an intellectual, emotional and pleasurable visual experience, which often raises questions and inspires more investigation on the exhibition theme. With free admission it is an easy and natural retreat into the mind of an artist, in a cool atmosphere during the summer heat of July.
The Nona Jean Hulsey Art Gallery, located in the Norick Art Center on the Oklahoma City University Campus, is the center of the University’s participation in the visual arts. The gallery provides a contemporary exhibition space for significant and challenging exhibitions by local and national artists and art organizations. The Hulsey Gallery houses the Oklahoma City University Art Collection and affords the School of Visual Arts student educational opportunities related to collection management and exhibition of art in a professional gallery.
The mission of the Nona Jean Hulsey Art Gallery is to promote the understanding of and extend the audience for contemporary art, and to present exhibitions that inform, inspire and challenge the public, particularly students of Oklahoma City University. The Hulsey Gallery and the Oklahoma City University Art Collection are an integral part of the School of Visual Arts, and it is used daily by visitors, students, and faculty.
Looking forward, the annual Oklahoma High School Art completion of two dimensional artworks will take place November 5 – 19, 2017. There is an opening reception planned for Sunday November 5 from 2 – 5 pm.
For more information on hours and location: http://www.okcu.edu/artsci/departments/visualart/exhibits

Mr. Terry Zinn – Travel Editor
Past President: International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association
http://realtraveladventures.com/author/zinn/
http://www.examiner.com/travel-in-oklahoma-city/terry-zinn
www.new.okveterannews.com – www.martinitravels.com

The Fountains at Canterbury, in northwest Oklahoma City, is known for its thriving campus of residents keeping busy with new, exciting activities and programs.
While brainstorming fresh, extraordinary outings for her residents, The Fountains at Canterbury associate Kaitlan Kenworthy came up with an idea for a delicious notion to add to the group’s famed bucket list outings, something she fondly calls ‘Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, Canterbury-style.’
“I wanted to create new, exciting, fun excursions for residents,” said Kenworthy.
The inspiration for her delicious idea was derived from the hit Food Network show “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” with host Guy Fieri, and specifically the nine locations he visited in Oklahoma. The group has been to nearly all of the featured locations, including Clanton’s Café in Vinita, Eischen’s Bar in Okarche, the Rock Café in Stroud and Oklahoma City culinary legends Cattlemen’s Steakhouse, Ingrid’s Kitchen, Leo’s BBQ and Mama E’s Wings and Waffles.
Their most recent excursion was to Nic’s Place Diner and Lounge. The new location offered natural light cascaded into a large, dark-wood room as several residents waited eagerly to order. They commented on the lovely décor, discussed who wanted to split the large portions with whom and reminisced on their previous outings.
“I’m excited to try [Nic’s]. We’ve been to a little bit of everything,” said Ann Forester, resident of The Fountains at Canterbury. “I have not missed a trip since we started making them to various restaurants.”
As Forester finished the first bite of her ‘Old School Burger’ she remarked, “It’s very good.”
Kenworthy said the program has been a hit with residents and she hopes to continue taking them to new places, even after they’ve completed the current series of outings.
“I think the residents have really enjoyed getting out, visiting new places and trying new food.” said Kenworthy. “It would be amazing if Guy Fieri would come back to Oklahoma and go to a restaurant with our group to give them a live rendition of his show!”
As the residents of The Fountains at Canterbury are approaching the last outing in their ‘Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, Canterbury-style’ series to The Diner in Norman this July, they are excited about the location, but sad to see the series come to a close. However, residents should not fear boredom as Kenworthy is already planning their next adventure.
The Fountains at Canterbury is dedicated to being the first choice in senior living, providing a continuum of care including independent living, assisted living, memory care, innovative rehabilitation therapies and skilled care. The Fountains at Canterbury is managed by Watermark Retirement Communities and is committed to creating an extraordinary community where people thrive. To learn more, please call (405) 381-8165 or go online to www.watermarkcommunities.com.

I stay indoors in the A/C. Pauline Richardson

I stay inside anytime it’s above 85. My thermometer doesn’t work like it used to. Sandy Scroggins

Drink something cool – iced tea if I have to be nice. Donna Reese

Go to the pool. My daughter-in-law and son have one in their neighborhood so I play with my grandchildren. Connie Oubre