Wednesday, October 21, 2026. 10:49 PM.
Confiding Again with April May Flower
August: “Hi April.”
April: “Hi August.”
August: “I went on a long walk again, today.”
April: “Where did you walk to ?”
August: “Providence Street.”
April: “Why Providence Street ?”
August: “For one thing: it is a part of Woonsocket I’m not in the habit of walking to.”
April: “Why not ?”
August: “It’s far away from the neighborhood where I live – Clinton and Cumberland Streets.”
April: “What did you see over there ?”
August: “The house where Miss Doreen Picard lived, I think – not absolutely certain. 409 Providence Street.”
April: “What happened when you got there and saw that house ?”
August: “At first, I just stopped on the sidewalk and looked at it. It’s light green and two-stories high. My first apartment was also two-stories high – and on the same side of the street; but it was on another street – on the other side of the city of Woonsocket.”
April: “Then what happened ?”
August: “A lady was sitting on the steps of the house next to the light-green house. She was looking down at something she was reading. I said, “Excuse me.” She looked up. I asked, “Is that the house where Doreen Picard lived ?” pointing to the house next door. She made a gesture with both her hands – and said something like: “I haven’t a clue.” Like she never heard of the person I asked about.” I replied, “Okay. Thank you.” And walked further up the street.”
April: “Where did you go next ?”
August: “Piedmont Street – off Providence Street – and on the other side.”
April: “Why did you go there, August ?”
August: “In 1968 I was on the Woonsocket High School track team; and it was a daily run for the runners to run from Barry Field on Route 146 to Providence Street – as far as Piedmont Street – where we took a right onto that street; and continued running to Park Avenue; and then continuing to Park Square; where we took a right on Route 146 again – and ran back to Barry Field. As I was walking on Piedmont I broke into a run for about 20 seconds. I just wanted to do again what I had done 58 years ago – when I was 17 – and a freshman or junior in high school – running on Piedmont Street. The neighborhood looked beautiful! The houses – the street – were all in beautiful condition. And then I came upon a scene – a tow truck was drawing a disabled car onto the back of the tow truck. And a lady was there watching this happening. I spoke with her – telling her of my high school track days running on Piedmont Street – 58 years ago. She listened and responded in a kindly and understanding way. Then I continued walking back to my own neighborhood.”
April: “How long did your walk take, August ?”
August: “One hour and 32 minutes.”
April: “Who was your Track coach ?”
August: “Mr. Thomas O. Flood. He was also my Biology teacher – and my Cross-Country coach. And Miss Doreen C. Picard’s birthday is tomorrow – October 22. I hope to meet her someday – when I also depart from this life. I hope our very first in-person meeting will be God-blessed and lovely. My heart is touched by her – like when I listen to a beautiful love song or a beautiful hymn. I believe I will cry when we meet.”
ANNIE (1982): “Tomorrow” Full Clip | Sony Pictures Kids Zone #WithMe
ANNIE (1982): “Tomorrow” Full Clip | Sony Pictures Kids Zone #WithMe – YouTube
August: “In my thoughts to her I often call her Lady Doreen, my Lady of the Lord. And I wonder what her middle name is that begins with a C. Her sister’s name is Christine. Maybe Lady Doreen’s middle name is also Christine. I don’t know, yet. And she lived near a lake. I believe she grew up there – so she is also a lady of the lake. And my grandmother and Aunt Estelle also lived nearby – at Lake Hiawatha. I notice that the name of that lake in Bellingham, Massachusetts sounds very much like Lake Higher Water – which sounds like the name of a lake in heaven. And Doreen worked at a machine shop – and so did I. And in the Hardy Boys Mystery stories, “The Shore Road” was often mentioned. And Lady Doreen and my grandmother and Aunt Estelle lived on Lake Shore Drive.”
Happy Birthday, Tomorrow, Lady Doreen Picard
I love you, Doreen . . .
You are a very courageous Lady . . .
Jesus said:
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” -Jesus Christ, the Son of God. [John 15: 12-13 ESV Study Bible].
Lady Doreen Picard courageously laid down her life for her friend.
October 21, 2026 — 10:24 PM.
822 words [above this line].
82 and 22
