If you’ve followed my blogs, you’ll realize this week is one I’ve dreaded. Tuesday will mark a full year since Cindy suffered her first seizure. Thursday will mark a full year since she died from this sudden, unexpected illness.
When I went in to work this morning at WDAM, news of Trent Lott’s resignation was about an hour old. Easily, I knew that would be my top story for the midday newscast I produce. Hours later, I’d realize that would only be half of the equation.
The other half: Jeff Bower resigned as Southern Miss head football coach. Well, at least that’s the official word. Sure looks like he was pushed out.
Sure, you could make the argument he *just barely* extended the streak of winning seasons to 14. You could also argue this hasn’t been one of the Eagles’ better years. I’d be willing to listen to those arguments – and actually agree with you on some level.
All I ask is consider this. Ten out of 11 times the Eagles went to a bowl under Bower’s watch. Bower collected a .589 winning percentage in 17 total seasons. Also under his watch, a high percentage of his students have graduated to bright futures - whether or not the NFL was part of each individual future.
And what thanks does he get? This morning, it appears precious little – if any.
You can’t win the big one every year - and this certainly was a year the Eagles didn’t bring home a conference title. But Bower was doing something right at Southern Miss.
Somewhere in Heaven, Cynthia Deann Morris has a big smile on her face.
Ohio’s motto tells us, “With God, all things are possible.†Therefore, I don’t think I’m going out on too much of a limb when I say I truly believe Cindy has met Woody Hayes sometime this year. And, even though he coached “the other guysâ€, I’m just as certain Cindy has met Bo Schembechler sometime in ’07.
Speaking of Woody and Bo, a tip of the cap is owed to those who suggested that special coin toss with Woody’s face on one side of the coin and Bo on the other.
First, I know, it’s been a while since I’ve made any posts on the record. Much of the business I’ve had to take care of this year following Cindy’s death is nearly finished. Now, it’s on to the first Thanksgiving and Christmas since she died. These are events that are hard to imagine. To those who’ve sent up prayers, or at least good thoughts, thanks and please keep it going as we get closer to the holiday season.
On to a much happier note. A huge thumbs up to Dwight Woods and KEF Media for coordinating a satellite interview with Cat Cora, a Mississippi native and Southern Miss graduate. Cat, as always, shared great cooking tips. We taped the interview this morning at WDAM and we plan to air it over the Thanksgiving holidays.
It’s obvious to me Dwight and his colleagues at KEF did their homework. I just wish I could say this of the rest of the satellite interview universe (Direct Media Services; Satellite Tours, Inc.; Taylor Global; this means you). Whereas most of the rest of this universe just blindly throws darts in the air and hopes they’ll land somewhere on the target, it’s refreshing to hear from folks who go that extra mile and actually want to zero in on a bullseye.
By the way, if Dwight or anyone at KEF is reading this, in the event you land another interview with Cat, Brett Favre or any other favorite son or daughter of South Mississippi, you know where to find us.
The laughs remain few and far between. Thankfully, an e-mail at work led to a chuckle or two.
You guessed it, it came from that wonderful world of satellite interviews. This time, I’ll spare this pinhead some embarrassment by not naming who sent me this, what company he works for or the product in question. Keep that last variable in mind.
Indeed, the interview was all about this new, innovative product. The second paragraph of the (lame attempt at a) pitch reads like this…
“We would be happy to forward photos (of the product), arrange an interview or help further. If there is someone better to send this to can you please forward this to him/her or provide me with the contact information? Thanks and look forward to hearing from you soon.â€
…I responded by noting there really is someone better that can help advance awareness of this product. That person is our sales manager at the TV station. The sales department he leads can help spread awareness of any product. I further noted the product can be showcased in several commercials throughout the day – instead of just once in an interview.
Let this be a lesson, world of satellite interviews. We TV producers do not want any interview in a newscast suddenly becoming an infomercial.
Five years ago today, I met Cindy for the first time at lunch at a local restaurant. A co-worker was at the bar on July 31, 2002 - viewing the extremely humble beginnings of a loving relationship from afar. I’d spot this co-worker on our way out of the restaurant.
Today, to commemorate another otherwise happy milestone, this co-worker and I met for lunch at the same restaurant.
It was basically a time to look back – and look ahead. I’m wrapping up a lot of important matters – which I will not disclose here publicly. Suffice to say a huge burden is days away from being lifted from my shoulders.
Football season will be here in about a month – but Cindy will not be in the stands with me as she was for a stretch of four seasons. Plus, a busier-than-normal busy autumn is ahead for the radio stations I work for part-time – and I’ll be involved in some of them.
One thing I’m certain is not in the immediate future – naming one of the new dormitory buildings in Cindy’s honor. You’ll recall in an earlier post here at Doug Morris dot org, I gently challenged the powers that be to name a building for Cindy.
Looking back, naming a building for Cindy now would probably be too much too soon. Almost seven months have passed since Cindy died and the shock certainly hasn’t worn off among those of us who were honored and privileged to be associated with her by blood or marriage. I’m sure the same can be said at Carey.
Some food for thought. Just today, Lamar County officials named a bridge in honor of Tom Parker, who served as the county’s road manager for a dozen years and died two years ago today. Perhaps in those two years, time has healed some wounds and heads of Tom’s co-workers and relatives have thought clearer. End result: a true and proper chance to say “thank you†to Tom.
But back to Carey. As I told my co-worker at lunch today, I firmly believe enrollment is going to increase as time goes on. That will likely mean more dorm space has to be built. Hopefully, that will mean a true and proper chance to say “thank you†to Cindy – by naming a dorm in her memory.
Some people representing parts of Cindy’s past are joining her in Heaven this week.
As noted earlier, Cindy called Charleston, South Carolina, home for a couple of years. She was an area coordinator at the College of Charleston. With her history studies, she truly enjoyed “Historic Charleston”.
I can remember during the ultimate tournament of champions of the quiz show Jeopardy!, they had an all-video category entitled “Historic Charleston”. As the contestants picked answers from that column and accompanying video rolled, Cindy would react, “I’ve been there,” “I knew that,” and “I remember that.”
As you know by now, an unfortunate new chapter has been written in Charleston’s history. A fatal fire. Nine brave souls lost their lives battling a blaze at a furniture store this week.
Also, as you may know, Cindy was a native of Ohio. Given that and the fact I lived there in the ‘80s, we would “come home” a few times before and during our marriage. We would make an attempt to visit a Bob Evans restaurant while we were in the Lima area. Cindy enjoyed dining at Bob Evans in her time living in Ohio.
Word came today of Mr. Evans’ death. He was hospitalized at the Cleveland Clinic for treatment of pneumonia.
To Captain William “Billy” Hutchinson, Captain Mike Benke, Captain Louis Mulkey, Engineer Mark Kelsey, Engineer Bradford “Brad” Baity, Assistant Engineer Michael French, Firefighter James “Earl” Drayton, Firefighter Brandon Thompson, Firefighter Melven Champaign and Mr. Bob Evans — tell Cindy I said hello.
For the first time in more than a decade, Cindy is celebrating Father’s Day with Marvin today - in Heaven. Last month, my brother and I went to Cindy’s gravesite in Ohio to observe what would’ve been a second wedding anniversary.
En route, Geof and I had a few fun times along the way – after all, Cindy wouldn’t want us sad and upset for too long. While in transit, we made a stop in Nashville to visit Andrew Osenga, one of Geof’s musician friends.
Geof, you see, let Andrew borrow our grandfather’s old Gibson acoustic guitar. Andrew’s taking great care of it and it can be heard…
…on his latest solo release. A copy of this CD is headed this direction (thanks, Geof) and I can’t wait to hear it.
Friends, first and foremost, thanks for the continued prayers. They’re much needed. A few friends told me people I don’t even know or have never met are praying for me, my relatives and Cindy’s relatives — and that means a lot.
Among those I’ve never met, a couple of Cindy’s former classmates from her college years have e-mailed or sent a card. Through visiting www.dougmorris.net/cindy, they were comforted in knowing that sweet, kind Cindy they knew never changed.
Prayers are especially needed now as I embark on a long journey back to Ohio for the Memorial Day weekend. My travels will take me to Huntsville, Alabama — where my brother lives. Geof and I will then go in his car and go to Dayton, where we lived for most of the ’80s through 1991. Then, it’s on to Delphos where many of Cindy’s relatives still call home.
Some fun will be had along the way. After all, Cindy would not want us sad for too long.
But on May 28th, two years since the wedding bells tolled for Cindy and me, I will visit her gravesite.
I hope to make this an annual trip.
Off and on throughout these last few months, I’ve needed some comic relief. Today’s comic relief just fell into my inbox toward the end of my shift.
Yes, friends, it’s another rant against that wonderful world of P.R. trying to pitch your friendly neighborhood TV station the next great satellite interview.
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