Wednesday, March 23, 2022
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My first duty assignment after completing Air Force basic training was Clark Air Base in the Philippines. Ms. Pickard and I exchanged letters regularly and to help me with the inevitable homesickness felt by a 19 year-old, she sent me a small stone from Jamestown; the same type we used when Michelle, Denise, Ms. Pickard, and I played hopscotch together. While reading her letters and seeing that rock made me laugh and cry at the same time, I felt the kindness and love it was meant to impart. Forty-two years later, that little stone is in a small box of mementos that I never grow tired of looking at. Her act of kindness lasted a lifetime.
I have known the Pickard family since the 1970’s and have many fond memories. Mr. Pickard was a highly respected police officer and I remember him well. The Pickard family are one of the finest families I have ever known. My deepest condolences on your loss.
I offer the following prayer …
In your hands, O Lord,
we humbly entrust our beloved Linda.
In this life you embraced her with your tender love;
deliver her now from every evil
and bid her eternal rest. The old order has passed away:
welcome her into paradise,
where there will be no sorrow, no weeping or pain,
but fullness of peace and joy
with your Son and the Holy Spirit
forever and ever. Amen.
