Ray and Rosa Hicks’
Homeplace
Ray Hicks passed away on April 20, 2003. During
the last two years of his life, Connie wrote these
letters, updating the storytelling community on
her visits with Ray and Rosa.
April 6, 2001
Ray’s in the Hospital
I wanted to let y'all know that Ray went into the
hospital yesterday in Johnson City and they are
doing a lot of tests. As many of you probably know,
he has had a rough time of it since last summer.
He's lost a lot of weight and can't hold down any
food. I talked to Rosa today and I know she is very
worried...but I heard that last night (after waiting
ten hours in the emergency room!) he was pulling
the leg of a doctor with a story about a man who
had a cat in his belly...and Ray had that twinkle
in his eye.
Our community is so dear to us all.
I will let you know as I hear more news. Connie
top of page
April 20, 2001
A Treasure of a Man
Dear Friends,
Many of you know that Ray Hicks has advanced cancer
and by Western Medicine standards, it is not looking
good. I am writing to ask your help by holding him
in the light or praying or whatever might be your
tradition...that he and his family be free of pain.
For those that haven't had the pleasure of hearing
Ray tell stories, he opens his heart and his mouth
and out pours the drama and humor of life. He is
a beacon of storytelling.
If you would like to, there is something else you
can do. The Hicks have lived a simple mountain life,
living mostly off the land. Their main source of
cash income has been collecting ginseng and telling
stories locally 6-8 times a year. Since his health
problems, he hasn't been able to get out and that
has been a hardship financially. A special fund
has been started and if you would like to contribute,
please send donations with checks made out to: The
Ray and Rosa Hicks Fund, c/o International Storytelling
Center, 116 West Main Jonesborough, TN 37659. All
money will go to help Ray and Rosa in any way possible.
You might also send this message along to others
who would want to know about Ray including any storytelling
festivals and organizations.
I have attached a photo of the Hicks’ homeplace
that we took a few weeks ago. That is where Ray
was born almost 79 years ago . . . and where he
is today with his family and hospice helping him
through the days. Ray is a treasure of a man . .
. and his wisdom, generosity, humor and uniqueness
have been a gift to the world. Thanks, Connie
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May 29, 2001
Mourning Dove
Dear Buddies,
I visited Ray and Rosa last Thursday, and they
are doing pretty good. Ray looked like he had gained
a little weight. He had a wonderful spark to him
and he was sitting up, animated, laughing and talking.
What a visit...I wanted to live there. With Rosa
- both of us laughing and crying in the kitchen...and
then with Ray - in the front room, him talking and
tickled with himself. That wide-open, whole body
smile that overtakes him and crinkles up his eyes.
During the two visits before this one, I hadn't
seen that. He said he is not in much pain. He has
a patch for that and he is using his herbs as well.
Soon after I first got there, I told him I had
brought a booklet of letters from my friend Nancy's
2nd grade class. As I handed it to him, instead
of just glancing at it and putting it aside for
later, he opened it up and page by page he looked
at 43 drawings, poems, and get well messages. When
he pulled 2 by mistake, he went back and separated
them and looked at each one.
That's the way I want to be ...looking at each
moment...and if 2 get stuck together, go back and
take my time. He continues to be such a teacher
for me.
He seemed so into the visiting, but I made myself
stay aware of the time. I didn't want to wear him
out. I told Ray I better be leaving, and it was
like old times . . . me standing up with my purse
on my arm...and Ray not quite ready for me to go.
He said "Wait, I'll sing you'ens a song."
And he began a powerful, beautiful, in the moment
rendition of “I am a poor wayfaring stranger”
- ( he calls it pilgrim)...about crossing over and
meeting his mother, and then his father. I couldn't
hold back the tears. Whew, I'm going to miss him.
But who knows ...maybe he will live in this world
a whole lot longer.
I know this is hard for Rosa. Besides the emotional
part, it is a lot more work. But she said she's
getting into the rhythm of it now. She said she
woke up feeling blue the other day, and asked God
for a sign - a mourning dove - to let her know it
wasn't going to be a bad day. She kept looking out
the kitchen window, 7 or 8 times. And then she saw
it. Said it turned out to be a pretty good day.
Their son, Ted, is greeting folks, walking out
into the yard when he hears a car . . . taking up
his dad's role. I think he is a real strength to
both Ray and Rosa. And their other children are
helping a lot.
The hospice people are so dear. They really know
what a treasure the Hicks are, and treat them with
such love and respect for them and their old time
ways.
It is fine to pass this message on to friends who
you think might want to have an update.
Take good care, Connie
Connie reluctantly leaving
Ray and Rosa’s place
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August 17, 2001
A Chance
to Help
Dear Friends,
I was up to see Ray and Rosa Hicks at their place
on Beech Mountain last week. Ray is still very much
engaged in life even as his body is wearing out.
His cancer is advanced but the hospice folks are
doing a good job helping him keep his pain down.
Rosa is having some health problems as well, and
yet she continues to tend to Ray with such love
and devotion. They both have this amazing way of
being in this world and inviting you in.
You know, with all the storytelling events across
America today, it is hard to imagine that 30 years
ago there was only one festival devoted to storytelling
and Ray was at its cornerstone. In those early days,
the national media was captivated by Ray and his
stories; and that helped rekindle an interest in
storytelling. It also began a procession to the
Hicks’ home in Banner Elk, NC, which has continued
for three decades.
Over the years, Ray and Rosa have put down their
hoes and stopped their canning to welcome the hundreds
of curious visitors: reporters from The Smithsonian
Magazine, The Los Angeles Times, The New Yorker,
all the major TV networks and countless other news
and entertainment organizations. And with them came
the video crews and photographers. Ray and Rosa
posed on the front porch with the wood piled high,
ready for the fierce winters of the mountains; they
posed in the forests, gathering ginseng; and they
invited them into their home that has remained mostly
unchanged over the last four generations.
And always Ray told stories.
Ray and Rosa have gained very little financially
from the years of media attention, but all of us
who love to tell and listen to stories have benefited
from their enormous generosity and welcoming spirit.
I believe there is a direct connection between Ray
Hicks and the multitude of storytelling festivals
and events across America today.
Now is an opportunity for us to show our gratitude.
As some of you know, a special fund has been started.
(Thanks to all those that have already sent money.)
If you would like to contribute, please send donations
with checks made out to: The Ray and Rosa Hicks
Fund, c/o International Storytelling Center, 116
W. Main Street Jonesborough, TN 37659.
Some storytelling organizations are sponsoring
fund raising events in their communities to raise
money. If you would like to help celebrate Ray's
life, please encourage the festivals and events
that you organize and the ones where you perform
or attend, to join in this endeavor and go for it!
To answer some questions: The money donated is
not tax deductible. We are asking (with Rosa's blessing)
that no one send them cash or checks directly, but
rather send any donations to the fund. All the money
donated (over $4,000 so far), belongs to the Hicks,
but because of the restrictions on Medicaid and
SSI, the Hicks can only have so much money in the
bank and cash on hand. The rules are very strict
and if they go over the prescribed amounts, they
are in danger of losing those much-needed benefits.
The fund has been covering things that we can't
get covered elsewhere, like ambulance trips to Boone,
electrical bills, and other needs that Ray and Rosa
are telling us about. It will also cover the funeral
when that time comes. Hopefully there will be a
hefty nest egg after all the expenses are paid,
so that Rosa can stay at their home and have some
sense of security.
I will keep folks posted on what is happening.
Also continue to keep the Hicks family in your loving
thoughts. I am thinking there is still room for
a little miracle and maybe this world will hang
on to Ray for another decade or two!
With great respect and love for our storytelling
community,
Connie
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December, 2001
In a Quiet Mountain
Way
Dear Friends,
Ray and Rosa Hicks are so appreciative in a quiet
mountain way of all that everyone is doing. Rosa
asked that I thank you, and all those praying for
them, donating money and helping with projects around
the homeplace.
The fund raising at the National Storytelling Festival
in Jonesborough was a great success. People are
so generous! Tom Raymond and Bob Timberlakes offered
framed photos and prints for a silent auction. Dedicated
folks stayed at the table in the resource tent,
collecting money, answering questions and talking
about the Hicks. People took home some of Rosa's
beautiful dahlias, and come next spring, those colorful
flowers will be blooming all over the United States,
in 32 states and 3 countries. Over 200 people also
wrote a personal message to the Hicks that we put
in a big book and gave to them, hopefully to cheer
them up on some of these long winter nights.
Last month, Ray agreed to have some insulation
put under the house and in the walls. Rosa said
sometimes when the wind blows so ferociously up
on that mountain, it seems like the linoleum rug
in the kitchen would lift off and fly away! –
but not anymore.
Dudley Wilson, a long time friend of the Hicks
family handled the whole process, from getting the
estimates to gathering friends to do a lot of the
hard labor. (Many of you know Dudley from his "Appalshop"
days and his stage managing each year at the National
Fest). Fourteen volunteers spent the day working;
some on the roof, others under the house in a tiny,
open crawl space. They also tackled some of the
wiring, put in a new breaker box. The fund paid
for all the materials - and lunch for the crew.
By the end of a long day, the Hicks home was snug
and safer, and for the first time in years, you
couldn't feel the wind whistling through!
Phil and I recently took Ray and Rosa warm socks,
flannel pajamas and other supplies. Ray is definitely
slowing down and seemed a little quieter, but the
life force is still there. We all got tickled about
something and had us a good laugh. We looked at
old photos; one of Ray when he was 5 years old,
"aridin' a wooden bicycle" made by his
uncle. Another of Ray and Rosa on their "marrying
day." It was a great visit.
We are looking for a wood cook stove in good condition.
Rosa said she isn't interested in learning an electric
one! But hers is in pretty bad shape; said the new,
fancy wood ones don't work well, and the good old
ones are priceless antiques these days! So if any
of you have a lead on where we can get a reasonable
one in fairly close proximity, let me know.
Please keep praying, too. Ray just might be meant
to live another few decades and tell to a few more
thousand listeners!
With great blessings to you and to all those you
love . . . and to the whole world, during these
holidays. Love, Connie
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Ray’s 80th Birthday
 Today,
August 29, 2002, Ray Hicks is eating a piece of
his birthday cake in the very same room where he
was born eighty years ago!
Rosa said Ray woke up feeling pretty good; he sat
out in the sun for a while and welcomed friends
and family dropping by to help him celebrate. In
the last few days he has gotten a banana cake, a
blueberry and a peach pie, a chocolate cake with
fancy decorating, and his favorite - fresh homemade
coconut cake.
A week and a half ago my friend, Nancy Shapiro-Pikelny,
and I made our way to Ray's after telling at the
Jack Tales Festival in Blowing Rock. (It's a great
relaxed benefit put on by Glenn Bolick, with proceeds
going to the Ray and Rosa Fund.) It was 7:30 that
evening when we pulled up to the Hicks homeplace,
and a dusky quiet and beauty was settling down on
the mountains.
Dorothy Jean, one of the Hicks' daughters, was
outside, shucking the corn that was piled high on
the side porch. She smiled so brightly; it lit up
the evening sky. Rosa and Ted were in the kitchen
stirring huge pots of corn and getting it ready
to freeze for the winter. We greeted them and set
down the bags of goodies that the fund had provided;
soft, warm slippers, an electric razor that might
be gentler on Ray's face, a new pair of overalls
for Ted, hand lotion for Rosa, and other necessities.
Then we went into the front room, and the first
thing Ray said was, "All creation is made to
wear out." But it seemed within moments that
the opposite was true. Ray began talking and laughing.
He raised his head off the pillow to look us straight
in the eyes and for the next 3 hours he regaled
us with stories and life. I don't know if I have
ever seen his hands more beautiful, shaping out
the images as he went and his eyes were so bright
and alive. Hard to believe that 18 months ago most
thought he might leave this world pretty soon.
I told Ray about the Jack Tale Festival in his
honor, how everyone was talking about him, and that
I had told one of his stories, "Jack and the
Northwest Wind" for the first time. Ray didn't
miss a beat. He started right in telling how Jack
and his Momma had been so cold with that Northwest
wind howling through their cabin - and we were all
transported to the world of Jack. Then Rosa brought
in a full meal for Ray; corn, new potatoes, beans
and corn bread and a Moon Pie for desert!
Nancy stayed in with Ray while I took some time
to catch up with Rosa in the kitchen. Ted shone
the flashlight out into the field full of Rosa's
dahlias. We imagined all the blooms around the country
in the gardens of those who carried home paper bags
with Rosa's dahlia tubers from Jonesborough last
year.
At 11:00pm we could barely hold our heads up from
the laughter and the fullness of that incredible
day. But Ray was still going strong, propped up
on one elbow, wearing blue-striped pajamas, still
telling and teaching as we opened the door to the
darkness of night. How blessed this world is to
have Ray Hicks for these last 80 years!
Connie
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October 2, 2002
Sending Their Thanks
One of Rosa’s
Dahlias
Just a quick note. Rosa said Ray felt a little
better today and had been out on the front porch
for most of the day. She said to tell "all
of you'ens hello; we miss 'em and thank 'em for
all everybody has done.” Love, Connie
January 14, 2003
Amazing Grace
As of this moment, Ray Hicks is still with us and
in the hospital in Boone. These last two weeks have
been a remarkable time.
Last Wednesday, Rosa said that the nurses had not
been able to rouse Ray; that his vital signs were
dropping. She said she felt that he was "a’
going home." She sent word to their kids. (Two
of the daughters, Jean and Nita had just arrived
home in TN after a day's visit at the hospital so
they turned around and headed back to Boone.)
Later that evening, folks were gathered in Ray's
room. His blood pressure was dropping and he was
down to just seven breaths a minute. Everyone watched
each slow breath rise, and waited to see if it would
be his last. Then one of Ray's beloved nurses from
hospice, Tom Bennett, came in. He and Ray have had
a very close, deep friendship these last 20 months
and often sing and play the harmonica together.
Tom put his face right next to Ray's and rubbed
his cheek, brushed his finger across his eyelashes
and called out his name. There was no response.
Tears were pouring down Tom's face and everybody
else's in the room. He took out his harmonica and
said, "I don't know if I can do this,"
and he started in playing "Amazing Grace."
It seemed he was playing Ray out of this life,
but Ray had other plans. Tom played through several
verses, held that last note and then silence filled
up the room. The next moment Ray opened his eyes,
threw out his arms and said, "That's spirit!"
So for 2 hours everybody talked and laughed and
cried with Ray. Ray even played a bit on the harmonica.
I arrived the next afternoon and Ray was still
in pretty good spirits and amazingly alert. That
evening Ray said he wanted to hear a Jack tale.
He closed his eyes and listened with an angelic
smile. I thought surely he had drifted off to sleep,
but he got tickled at the end and I knew he was
living it like he does when he tells them. Then
Ray started in singing, switching a few lines from
one song, putting them into another. But it didn't
matter. Ray enchanted us all once more; even from
his hospital bed he continues to show us what is
important in this world.
And Rosa - a tiny slip of a woman, sometimes so
child-like as if life is a present she is opening
for the first time. And then you see her strength
- a mountain woman who has lived through hardships
with such grace and acceptance...not so much resignation
but more of a knowing the nature of the world -
the birthing and living and dying rhythms and cycles
that sometimes many of us don't "see"
on a daily basis.
Later that night the nurses found some pillows and
blankets to add to ours. And Rosa, Jean and I made
3 pallets on the floor of the waiting room. Getting
ready to settle down, we were finding things to
giggle at. When we turned off the lights, Rosa spotted
a star in the dark sky. We all drifted off to sleep,
making our wishes for a safe journey for Ray.
With love, Connie
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February 4, 2003
Words Falling from the
Sky
Dear Friends,
Ray continues to surprise us. As Joyce L. from
Hospice says, "Ray has never been ordinary."
Two weeks ago he turned away from Death's Door again
and now he has left the hospital for a rehab center.
We got Rosa a comfortable blow up mattress and
she is spending most nights there. When she goes
home, there is a bevy of friends and family that
take the 'night shift', keeping Ray company even
as he dreams.
Ray is drifting back and forth between awake and
sleep, but when he opens his eyes, he is really
there for those moments. He seems smaller now, not
just frail but in a contained way. As if his aura
is moving more to his center, so he has a different
kind of strength.
Some of my experience of being with Ray is reflected
in an image by the author, Roger Housden, when he
is talking about great poetry - but it fits for
us listeners who have sat with Ray. " . . .
When the mind is looking the other way and words
fall from the sky and the heart opens, we forget
ourselves and the world pours in."
It has been more than a month since Ray left his
mountain-top place. Their son, Ted said, "Daddy
told me to take care of the house, said he wanted
a place to come back to." We don't know if
Ray will sit by his woodstove back home again, but
his peacefulness helps me know this is unfolding
as it should.
If you'd like to send a note, the address is: Ray
and Rosa Hicks, c/o Glenbridge Health and Rehab
Center, Post Office Box 2150 Boone, NC 28607
Ted would enjoy hearing from you too. 218 Old Mountain
Road, Banner Elk, NC 28604.
Please keep holding the family in your thoughts.
I have no doubt that the loving spirit from so many
friends has eased the pain for all the Hicks. Connie
Ted Hicks on Beech Mountain
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March 29, 2003
Bee Bread
This day marks fifty-five years of marriage for
Ray and Rosa Hicks. The love, devotion and humor
between them are still strong; and Rosa is holding
true to her promise to cherish in sickness and health.
Ray has been in the rehab/nursing home for over
two months now and before that, 3 weeks in the hospital
and before that, coming on two years since he has
been able to do for himself. And Rosa almost never
leaves his side.
I was up in Boone two days ago and Ray had a strength
about him that surprised me. He greeted me with
a big smile and said, "Caw-nie, how are you
a'doin'?" And we started in talking.
On some visits he sleeps most of the time, but
on Thursday he was awake and alert for most of the
day. I brought flowers to celebrate their anniversary,
and Ray started talking about "Bee bread"
- a term I had never heard. He said this was the
time of the year when bees are busy making 'bread'
from all the new pollen to feed the baby bees. Said
he used to keep bees but never got too much honey.
Just enough to have a little for sweetening for
his family, and they gave the rest away.
I asked him what was the hardest work he ever did,
and without hesitating he said, 'sawmill.' Said
it was so loud with the machines whirring; and then
Ray made a high pitched, squealing sound so I'd
know how it was to be standing next to the blades.
And that it was dangerous work for so many men in
the mountains.
We talked about 'blackberry winter' and having
faith in healing. How a snake had bitten him on
his right foot a long time ago and maybe that was
why it was swelling up so much these days.
This had been a good day for Ray, but he has many
days when he is just struggling to get through the
hours. And sometimes he gets disoriented and Rosa
says it "feels like we've lost him." But
then he rallies a bit. I know he is grateful to
Rosa and the kids who help in every way.
Ray and Rosa send their love to all of you and
hope you'll keep them in your prayers.
When I reluctantly said goodbye, Ray reached up
with his long arm to give me a hug. And as I was
driving back down the mountain, I felt as if I were
riding in a sea of blessings.
These last two weeks of spring in the mountains
have been glorious with flowering trees and blossoms
in every direction. Then this morning we awoke to
4" of snow! I hope the sun is warming you.
Please keep inviting peace into your heart and sending
it back into this dear world. Love, Connie
top of page
April 20, 2003
Easter Sunday
Ray Hicks passed away early this morning with Rosa
at his side. She said he 'went out so easy.'
I will let you know more as plans are finalized.
With great sadness and gratitude, Connie
top of page
April 20, 2003
The Arrangements
Storyteller Elizabeth
Ellis at the graveside service.
Dear Ones,
Seems there is some extra energy in the air! My
heart is full, and my computer is going crazy.
So first off, I apologize if you have gotten this
info already, but folks keep calling asking about
the details and apparently have not received this.
So here goes again.
Ray Hicks passed away early this morning with Rosa
at his side. She said he 'went out so easy.'
The funeral plans are set now. Hampton Funeral
Service, 683 Blowing Rock Road, Boone, NC 28607,
phone# 828-264-7100. Viewing time (without the family
there) on Tuesday, April 22 from 1:00 - 4:00PM,
and then the family will receive friends at the
funeral home from 6:00 - 8:00PM.
That will be followed by a memorial service starting
at 8:00PM. There will be time to share a memory
or a song.
There will be a graveside service on Wednesday
morning for family and friends.
Memorials contributions can be sent to Hospice
of Watauga County, 136 Furman Road, Boone, NC 28607
or The Ray and Rosa Hicks Fund, 116 West Main Street,
Jonesborough, TN 37659. Flowers will also be accepted.
With great sadness and gratitude, Connie
top of page
September, 2003
A Tea Party at the Ocean
It has been five months since Ray Hicks passed
away.
Rosa says she is getting along. And she loves looking
out at her sea of dahlia flowers - all those colors
blooming and swaying in the breeze.
Ted has had some foot problems and was in the hospital.
When I asked him how he passed the time, he said
he was telling stories to his 'room partner,' and
so it continues.
Rosa lived out a life-long dream earlier this month
when she saw the beach for the first time. While
Leonard and Nita stayed in the mountains and helped
Ted get the corn in, friends took Rosa and her daughter,
Jean, to the beach. What a sight that must have
been to see Rosa dipping a toe into the Atlantic
Ocean! She said the ocean was 'greedy', that it
almost took away her shoe. She had a tea party on
the sand, took a boat ride, and ate a raw oyster.
She said, “I'd like to go back but I sure
was glad to see the mountains a 'coming home.”
Rosa meets the Atlantic
Ocean
If she feels up to it, Rosa will be at the National
Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, TN in October,
bringing her fried pies and herbs & apple cake.
And we will have her dahlia tubers in the resource
tent along with Ray's recordings and books.
Hope you can attend the session during the festival
to honor Ray. We are calling it, “A Tribute
to Ray Hicks,” and it will be on Saturday,
October 4, 2003 at 5:30 in the Railroad Tent. If
all goes well, Rosa and other family members will
be there to help celebrate Ray's life in song, music
and stories.
If you'd like to send Rosa & Ted a note of
encouragement or maybe a photo of your dahlia in
bloom, their address is: 218 Old Mountain Road Banner
Elk, NC 28604.
A listener and fan of Ray's wrote me a note after
his funeral and said, "I won't fail to remember
Ray when I spot a bright star shining in the night
sky." I think that is a good plan.
With a full heart, Connie
David Holt playing
Amazing Grace at the memorial for Ray at the
National Storytelling Festival. |
Late summer, 2004
Roof
Raising
Dear Friends,
For Rosa and Ted Hicks, this year has been a time
of change and they need our help. They both gave
their blessings for me to fill you in on the details.
During the last months of Ray’s life, Ted
began to have serious health problems. Two weeks
after Ray passed away, Ted was hospitalized due
to complications with diabetes, including a hurt
foot that would not heal.
Ted’s ongoing health problems have become
more severe and three months ago he began dialysis.
Volunteers pick him up 3 times a week for the drive
into Boone, with 4 hours of dialysis each time.
And he is on a list for a kidney transplant.
Ted heading up the hill
for trip into Boone for dialysis
Rosa, who is also in poor health, is now caring
for her son. Ted is no longer able to help her
with the chores. The other Hicks children who live
in Tennessee are coming up as much as they can
- to plant and tend to the corn and potatoes (and
Rosa’s dahlias,) trying to keep up with all
there is to do on a farm.
Some of you may not know
that the Hicks have never had the basic conveniences
that most of us take
for granted. They have no running water, no indoor
plumbing, no washer and dryer and only wood heat
in winter. With Rosa and Ted’s health problems,
the entire Hicks family feels that it is necessary
to add on a room with those conveniences. And Rosa
said, “I’m ready!”
Here is how you can help.
Take a look at the brand new website dedicated
to Ray and to this building project www.rayhicks.com There you can make donations to the Ray and Rosa
Hicks Fund directly online. You can also contribute
by mail c/o The Ray & Rosa Hicks Fund, International
Storytelling Center, 116 West Main St, Jonesborough,
TN 37659.
If you have a web site, you could link to www.rayhicks.com and maybe send out a mailing to alert folks. You
might also contact your area guild or storytelling
newsletter to ask them to help spread the word.
And please be in touch with Rosa and Ted – they
would love to hear from you – 218 Old Mountain
Road, Banner Elk, NC 28604.
Rosa and Ted acknowledge that this is an extremely
hard and challenging time. But they accept it in
a matter of fact way, with an enormous amount of
grace and humor that continues to be awe inspiring
for me.
If you went up to visit just for a day, you wouldn’t
necessarily see the difficulties. Instead, you
would see Rosa’s field full of gorgeous dahlias
blooming, the corn starting to tassel and the potato
crop coming along. You would see Rosa’s oldest
son, Leonard, up from Tennessee working in the
fields and daughters Jean and Juanita helping Rosa
peel peaches for canning.
You would see Ted outside on the same porch where
Ray used to tell stories. During one visit recently,
Leonard, Rosa and I were busy in the kitchen talking
and planning about getting the room built and for
a moment we got quiet. Then we heard Ted outside
on the front porch telling Jack and the Giants
to my friend, Nancy. Rosa smiled and said, “Listen
to Ray out there.”
There is a remarkable similarity between Ted’s
voice and Ray’s. And Ted is getting more
comfortable with telling. As his health improves,
I’m hoping we can get him down off the mountain
and onto the stage. The telling seems to bring
him as much healing and happiness as it did for
his dad. Ted has his own style, but you can hear
the same humor and generosity that we heard in
Ray’s stories.
Your continued prayers and thoughts have always
been appreciated by the Hicks. And Rosa still says
she can “feel every single one.” Ray
would have been 82 years old on August 29. What
a great way to celebrate him and his life by making
sure Rosa and Ted can live out their days with
a few more comforts.
So please visit the web site, www.rayhicks.com and contribute to the completion of this ‘Roof
Raisin’ however you can.
Rosa asked me to thank the International Storytelling
Center for all their support, including helping
to create Ray’s web site and to all the folks
that are (and will be) contributing to this project.
Love, Connie
Dear friends of the Hicks family,
At the close of the year
During this time of the winter solstice, it gives
me great pleasure to report that the addition for
the Hicks family is getting close to being completed.
It has a washing machine, dryer and electric stove,
storage cabinets, a tub/shower and toilet with
handicapped railings, a bedroom for Rosa and a
large sitting room with big windows that look out
on their fields - and beyond to the beautiful Blue
Ridge Mountains.
We story listeners and tellers have the gift of
imagination - picturing kingdoms and worlds from
ancient and future times. But today I tremble,
thinking of Rosa and Ted Hicks stepping from the
home that Ray’s ancestors pieced together
over 100 years ago . . . and into a snug, warm
two-room addition built by the goodness and generosity
of many volunteers and contributors.
As you may know, Rosa and Ted have had serious
health problems in the last several years and life
has been even more of a challenge since Ray passed
away.
It might be tempting to idealize their more simple
way of living; but think of being in your 70’s
and having to make your way to the outhouse over
a frozen, slippery path in bitter cold, sub-zero
weather. And then spending most of the day and
your energy trying to keep the hungry wood stove
fed with enough logs so your fingers don’t
freeze inside the house.
But rejoice! Changes are in the air. We are getting
close to the goal.
As of this afternoon, we can now imagine that
soon the Hicks family will be protected from the
winter weather and enjoying the warmth of an automatic
oil heater; Rosa pleased to have warm water at
the turn of a faucet instead of carrying an icy
bucket from the spring house; and Ted able to soak
in a bathtub - soothing and warm - after each long
day of dialysis in Boone. NC. And both heading
to the outhouse only when a nostalgic mood strikes
them.
Rosa and Ted - old cabin meets new addition
I join Rosa and Ted in offering a heart full of
thanks to Skip Greene, Barry Nealy and to all the
individuals, groups and companies that have donated
their time, money, supplies and prayers to make
this a Christmas and New Year like no other! We
still have expenses to pay – and you can
visit www.rayhicks.com if you would like to contribute.
I hope these holidays and the coming year hold
much joy and many blessings for you and your loved
ones.
With a full heart and grateful spirit, Connie
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