My phone pinged late yesterday afternoon.
I looked at the picture and smiled.
It was one of the best pictures I have seen of the coach in the nearly 30 years since he retired.
Coach Stallings was home on his family ranch yesterday in Paris, Texas.
He was watching a few of his family members do some skeet shooting- he was laughing while wearing his shades.
Today, Coach Stallings and Ruth Ann will welcome the family for Thanksgiving, and this Sunday I’ll be writing on
AL.com about the Stallings being thankful for a family member who went to Heaven 17 years ago.
John Mark Stallings had Down syndrome- he lived a wonderful life and passed away in 2008 at the age of 46.
Down the hall at the Stallings’ house is Johnny’s Room.
Coach Stallings and Ruth Ann haven’t touched Johnny’s Room since he died.
The coach and Ruth Ann occasionally walk into the room where Johnny passed- they soak up memories before visiting his grave on their property.
While most of us will give thanks today for those who are with us, let’s not forget to thank those who have passed for making our lives so blessed.
That includes the Stallings’ beloved son.
Who left memories galore.
Down the hall in Johnny’s Room.
*Don’t you love this picture? Let Coach Stallings know!
*Thanks to Martha Kate Stallings Gunn for the pictures.