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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.
Continue reading “Point, Counterpoint”

In a year already filled with deep sadness, some good news.

It was 11 years ago on an Easter weekend that Rock 104’s RockTrax with Doug Morris had its maiden voyage on WXRR. The debut came after completing my move across the street from … some … other radio station.

In any event, the celebration will be rather quiet – as I’ve decided to dedicate the 11th year of RockTrax on Rock 104 in memory of Cindy.

Back in the late summer of 2002, when Cindy and I were tiptoeing along in very early “getting to know you” stages, she noted her allegiance wasn’t to Rock 104. It was to our country sister station, B95. Certainly, I had to give her style points for tuning into a station that’s within the company.

Over time, she would get to meet the people she’d heard all this time – especially at tailgating at Southern Miss. Further, that B95 allegiance would be altered on Sundays on account of little ol’ me. Cindy would note “my favorite DJ” is on the air. Most of us in the biz prefer the term “air personality” or “radio show host” — but who am I to argue with my number one fan?

With this plan disclosed, a gentle challenge to the powers that be at William Carey University. Go ahead and named one of the new dormitory buildings being constructed in Cindy’s honor.

With newfound personal and professional responsibility, my visits to the campus have been few and far between since Cindy’s untimely passing. (I was there this past Thursday just long enough to take care of some insurance paperwork.) But I’ve heard through the grapevine many students want this request fulfilled as well.

One of those students is Megan Harvey, who had great things to say about Cindy. Megan’s kind opinions were published in two articles of the latest issue of The Cobbler, WCU’s student newspaper. Megan, if you’re reading this, I was touched by your remarks about Cindy. Thank you.

Aside from my obvious bias, this is a no-brainer. Cindy was the first full-time housing director at then-known William Carey College. Her hiring was just part of the growth process at Carey – growth that continues today. Cindy would often stay in touch with students who lived on-campus – even after graduation. I should know – wedding invitations from Carey graduates came this direction during the 19 months Cindy and I were married.

Thank you all for your continued prayers and notes of condolence following my wife’s death.

During RockTrax, I heard from someone who attended Cindy’s funeral. I know him and only saw him for a split second as I was leaving the sanctuary.

Speaking of RockTrax, I’m taking April 1st off – two weeks from today. The first day of the month would’ve been the first of a series of what would otherwise be happy occasions. Cindy would have turned 35 on April 1st.

I’ll be spending part of the day with Cindy’s friends at St. John Lutheran Church in Hattiesburg. Cindy was very active at the church – especially in terms of setting up the sanctuary for communion or helping out in their annual Oktoberfest.

Courtesy of Geof, there’ll be a return visit to Delphos, Ohio, this Memorial Day weekend – which would have ended with our second wedding anniversary.

That’s a lesson I’ve learned the hard way since Cindy died. That lesson has been repeated just recently.

Prayers are requested for the family of Rebecca “Beth” Harrison, who was on this earth for only 15 years. If you live here in the Pine Belt and don’t know the name, odds are good you’ve seen her in TV ads for Heritage Vision Center. Beth died apparently after suffering a brain aneurysm.

There are some similarities that can be drawn between Beth and Cindy. From what I’ve understood from my bosses at WDAM, Beth had no previous symptoms; as for Cindy, the first seizure came without warning. Beth was quite active in her church and often had a smile on her face; same definitely can be said of Cindy.

One more similarity. Like Cindy, Beth is free of suffering and in a nice safe place called Heaven.

A number of you have asked about how to contribute to a scholarship fund in her name.

Cindy spent her professional life in various capacities of on-campus residence life. For more than six years, Cindy was housing director at William Carey University in Hattiesburg. Previously, she worked as a residence coordinator at Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio and an area coordinator at the College of Charleston in South Carolina.

WCU has established a scholarship fund in her name — which will benefit a student in work study in residence life.

To contribute, please send a check to…

Cindy Morris Scholarship
William Carey University
Grant Guthrie, Box 2
498 Tuscan Avenue
Hattiesburg, MS 39401

Please indicate on the memo line of the check that the gift is for the Cindy Morris Scholarship.

My great thanks to Grant Guthrie, budget director at WCU, for his help in this matter.

My great thanks for your continued kind thoughts and prayers following the passing of my wife.

The first of two funerals will be held Monday, January 15th, at 11:30 a.m. at Parkway Heights United Methodist Church in Hattiesburg. The second funeral will be held in her native Delphos, Ohio, on Thursday, January 18th, at 2:00 p.m. at Harter and Schier Funeral Home.

After the second funeral, Cindy will be buried next to her father, Marvin Houdeshell, at Walnut Grove Cemetery in Delphos.