SHOW ME A MAN © 

There are not enough adjectives, adverbs or descriptives in the human language to describe this man we knew and loved, Eric Morris. So, I will attempt to tell you what little I knew of him through my eyes, the eyes of a grown step-son. 

His parents named him Wavie Eric Morris, and he tried to hide what he may have been teased about as a child, the name "Wavie", by having official documents and bank statements titled, "W. Eric Morris." But you could only tease him about it very briefly, for how do you make fun of a man who laughs with you, at himself? Show me a man who can laugh at himself, and I will show you Eric Morris. 

My sister, Jill, came into Eric’s life before I did for I was living with my natural father when Eric married my mother. Eric, through his prowess on the ball field soon became coach of Jill’s softball team, a duty that was originally assigned to Mom, but who quickly recruited Eric’s help. I think of the movie It’s a Wonderful Life and how Jimmy Stewart touched all those people and did not even realize the impact he had, and then I think of Eric. I think of all those girls who learned from Eric the skill the leadership, the value of teamwork, and the perseverance to stick with your game when you’re behind in the count. Show me a man who can teach young girls all those values, and at the same time field a winning team year after year, and I will show you Eric Morris. 

I joined the Navy at age 20. Eric was in the Navy during the Bay of Pigs, also at age 20. I consulted Eric when I was considering the career move. The bible says that when a student is ready to learn, the teacher will show himself. Eric did not brag about his accomplishments or his travels. He would entertain you with stories of his adventures, but only if you asked. Quiet and reserved was his way. So much respect did Eric have for his fellow man that I never, and I repeat never, saw him raise his hand to another in anger. 

I would stay with my Mom and Eric for the occasional weekend, and I lived with them while waiting to attend college after my Navy duty expired. Whenever I asked to be woken up, he would comply as my alarm clock. Somehow he knew though, that the way to wake a person was with a gentle touch versus the rousing others would give. He would come into my room and gently tap the bottom of my foot until I realized it was time to wake, for gentleness was his way. They say an amputee still feels the occasional sensation at the end of the lost limb. Will I now feel the touch of someone who is not there? I can tell you that it still happens occasionally for me. Show me a man who can have this kind of an impact, a full 12 years since I last felt that touch, and I will show you Eric Morris. 

From what I can remember of him, Eric’s favorite evening was a game of cards, a pack of smokes, and some instant coffee to keep him awake and keep his mind sharp. He’d take the occasional bathroom break, but only if you asked for it first. I never considered him an endurance man, for his size and weight did not lend itself to longevity, but man could he outlast and outplay at a card table. Poker was his favorite, and later Bridge. But I remember him as a great euchre partner. He could remember every card, and if you messed up as his partner he wouldn’t call your attention to it, or anyone else’s for that matter. He’d instead encourage you with the phrase "We’ll get ‘em next time." Then he’d take a puff from his smoke, a sip of his coffee and wait for the deal to come his way. Patience was his virtue and he had plenty of it. 

Eric liked to sit on the porch and watch a good thunderstorm. I used to call it the "poor man’s fireworks." Only a rich man though can enjoy what nature has created, knowing that it will never be the same show twice. Eric taught me how to enjoy thunderstorms. How do you thank a man for that, especially after he is gone? The only way I know how I guess, is to make sure I don’t take the next thunderstorm for granted. God gave those storms to Eric, and then Eric gave them to me. Show me a man who can give you thunderstorms, and I will show you Eric Morris. 

I can show you plenty of men with some of his characteristics. Show me a man with all of them, and I will show you Eric Morris. The odd thing about this tribute to Eric, is that Eric would not compare himself to other men. He knew who he was, and he was never ashamed, or proud. He led by example; He was unique; and He was true to himself. We are sad at his passing, and perhaps wish we could have one more chance to say what he meant to each one of us. Or maybe we remember the good and hope God sees only the good when he sits before him in judgment. As God would say and the bible tells us, "Fear not, for I am with thee." What I can tell you now, is that Eric will be with all of us for the rest of our lives, because he touched each one of us in his own way, a way that we will remember. Show me a man…and I will show you Eric Morris.