While the list is quite, I would like to ask any of you that care to, to help just a bit. About 40 years ago, I was sitting in our church, and the preacher was right in the middle of his subject for the week, when all of a sudden, down the church isle, and right up on the pulpit runs this little boy, probably 18 Months old, and he walks right up to the preacher and takes hold of his pant leg. Of course, the preacher stops and gives him his complete attention, and almost instantly, this man with a big smile and a red face comes to get him. You see, this was a special child, and was not supposed to live to be more than 3 years old, so it was even more cute to the congregation, considering the circumstances. Well, not only did this little man surprise everyone by running up on the pulpit, he surprised everyone even more by how he battled his sickness. That young man's name was John Mark Stallings, and many of you know much about his father and mother. They are the Gene Stallings family that made good in college and pro football, but this is not about football, but ! about John Mark. You see, this young man that was not to get much beyond 3 years of age, came into my hospital room in one of my darkest hours, and the big smile on his face just had to help my feelings--instant feel better. This morning at church, John Mark and his dad came by me, and wished me well with only the smile John Mark can give you, and he was concerned with my condition even though he himself was being pushed by his dad in his wheel chair. Things are looking a little shaky for John Mark at this time, but you can only tell by looking at him, because you will not hear a complaint from his mouth. Now, I don't know what you believe in. You might believe in prayer or something else, but what ever it is, lets " SAY ONE FOR JOHN ". If you have ever met him, you already that he is one of the sweetest persons you ever met. If not, then please take my word for it. His parents both are very nice, as nice as you could want to meet, but this is a request for John Mark--he nee! ds our prayers or what you believe in. Thank you for your time. Sam Paris

This is one of the things that I love about this list - that people can have feelings, mention prayers and God, talk about whom they saw at the drugstore in Paris (or wherever), talk about roto tillers and metal finders and just be a group of friends. I have never been to Red River Co. except once years ago to drive through Clarksville but everything was closed up because it was Good Friday so I could not even stop at the courthouse. This was before I knew all of you - could have just stopped to chat. I cannot wait to go - hoping to this Autumn. I want to meet Jim and Sam and anyone else who lives there. This is living genealogy - it must be just the way that all of our families felt about each other. I learn about my ancestors by knowing you and yours. I unsubscribed once or twice in the past when my mail became unmanageable but soon re-subbed because this is the list where nobody complains and so many messages make me smile. This is my favourite list. Charmaine Charmaine Riley Holley archivehobbit@mac.com "...but hobbits have a passion for family history." - Tolkein in Lord of the Rings