Looking at life through the eyes of Brandon Hicks

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!