Wednesday, October 12, 2011
I grew up on Watling Street in London, 2 doors from the Hicks family. Jim was 7 years older than me, so we didn't have much in common. Owing to the age difference, I never got to know him and his brother as well as his two youngest siblings, the girls. What I do recall of Jim was the times he babysat my sister and me. I think I was somewhere between 7 and 10 years old at the time. Jim found out that I, like so many children of war vets, was interested in history, and war movies. In order to amuse me, Jim created some very elaborate drawings of battle scenes. The details are vague, but I do remember there being many soldiers, tanks, and airplanes in the drawings. It was so many years ago, I don’t remember too much more about the drawings, but I remember how very much I enjoyed them. What might seem a simple thing to many, is a fond memory I have retained my entire life, the drawings are long gone (I wish I still had them) but the memory of how much I enjoyed them, is what remains. I’ve read many of the tributes on here, and it is clear that Jim had an ability to connect with all kinds of people, especially his patients. Maybe his making those drawings for me a long time ago when he was a teenager, was an early indication of that rare attribute. I extend my sincere condolences to all of his family.