Morgan Lea Baine
A Reflection from Healing Housing Executive Director, Tracey Levine
I met Morgan in 2018 when I was hired to be the Executive Director at Healing Housing and she was a program participant. Little did I know that I was meeting someone who would become my most treasured friend.
When Morgan graduated our program, we stayed in touch and when the opportunity came for me to make a hire it was Morgan I reached out to. Over the past 5 years we worked side by side, taking interest in each other’s various pursuits, learning more about our beloved family members, most especially her wonderful son James. Gradually we began to fine-tune and shape a program that has helped hundreds of women in need of a refuge where they could find hope, healing and sisterhood.
Morgan was the heartbeat and walking encyclopedia of Healing Housing. I watched and listened as Morgan helped women in recovery from addiction and trauma navigate both gut-wrenching and seemingly impossible circumstances. She did it with grace, patience and a whole lot of love. She always reassured each one, it will be ok.
Not only was Morgan the go-to for the women we served, but she was also for the staff as well. We’d laugh about how many times a day you’d hear, “hey Morgan, can you help me with this spreadsheet,” or “hey Morgan, One-Step (our program software) isn’t working.”
She’d always reply, “I got you.” And she always did.
Morgan’s devotion to her job was immeasurable. I can’t tell you how many times we spoke on our daily commutes about our day ahead. I loved those phone calls. I loved seeing her at her desk smiling when I came in. At the end of the day we never left each other without saying, “I love you, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
The last couple of years were the best, watching Morgan find true love with a man who shared her passion for recovery, Logan Terry, founder of The Keith Dixon Foundation. They formed a family with their son James that was beautiful and inspiring. Once their engagement was official, I wanted to shout it to the world, because I knew this was the perfect union. And one day, not too long ago, they asked if I would officiate their wedding in November. My heart melted and my love exploded for their future together.
Logan said to me earlier this week, “Tracey, I had it. Some people never get it and I am so grateful to have known this kind of love.”
I shared this sentiment. Somewhere in the past 5 years my working relationship with Morgan shifted to a deep and treasured friendship. I too am overwhelmed with gratitude for having felt that kind of love. Rare and cut all too short – but we had it.
All of us who knew Morgan were touched by her light, love and care—we had it.
Those of us who work in recovery know that each day is a gift. We’ve walked the tightrope between life and death, and we chose life. Morgan, like many of us in the field, found purpose in coaxing others into living fully: the kind of living that savors true love and friendship, the kind of living in sobriety that can feel like a technicolor dream.
When I walk the dogs, when I savor the sunset with my husband, when I cheer for the Preds, when I delight in the company of my mother, my children and my grandchildren, when I help the next woman in need, I will take you with me Morgan, savoring these moments that life gifts us. My beautiful friend, thank you, I love you.
With deep love,
