Looking at life through the eyes of Brandon Hicks

There are not to many people that you meet in life that truly have an impact on how you look at the world. I remember a few weeks after I married Betsy and I was walking through the hall one day. Frank called me into his office and told me that my wife must be keeping me strait because my photos were looking sharper than ever. Frank was a joker and would always say something to make me laugh. He once told me that he thought that I was the best photographer that the Star had ever had. Such a great compliment from a man who had been in Newpapers for more than56 years. I will miss you Frank and thank you for the opportunity to work with you.

In memory of B. Frank Robinson

1926-2011

One of the best weekends of my life! Thank you Betsy and everyone else that helped with this project. I love you.

Tonight I am writing about a recent assignment of mine.

I was to shoot a retirement/surprise party for Jim Osborne who was retiring from the United States Postal Service.

He had been on the route so long that he had become the last city carrier who worked at the old post office on Sycamore Street that is now the Elizabethton/Carter County Public Library.

“There are still a few rural carriers still going, but I am the last of the city carriers from the old post office.”

It was an honor to photograph this man and his memory of this day.

He was walking into a room full of friends that he had made during the 25 years he had on the job and the look on his face is priceless.

When Jim walked in to deliver the mail to Bob Cable, the owner of Ledfords Upholstery were the party was hosted, I will never forget the look on his face.

For 25 years Jim Osborne has lived the motto of the United States Postal Service. He has always delivered the mail to the downtown businesses and customers on his route, even when the thermometer never climbed above zero one day and even when the Doe River once flooded much of the downtown area.

“I have never been late for work, I never missed a day because of the weather,” Osborne said.

It was an honor to photograph this moment and a memory of his that I will never forget!