A normal morning can change in a split second.    I got a message from Leigh Ann, my daughter, that she heard from one of my nieces that a nephew (her half-brother) has passed away unexpectedly.  The news of Lamar Tatum's death changed my day.   I kept busy but could not help but think of him almost all the time, wondering what happened.   We still do not know but another niece has reported that an autopsy will be performed to locate the cause of death.   A heart attack may be suspected.  He died in his sleep.  He was posting on Facebook two days ago and there was no indication that anything was wrong.   He has been upset for some time about the political mess going on in the U.S.   He was upset but did not seem despondent.   I last saw him at his dad's funeral several years ago but we chatted a lot on Facebook having basically the same opinions and views.   He was a house painter and lived in Nashville, TN.

Lamar lived briefly with my mother when I was in college.   His two sisters also lived with her sometimes because my brother and sister-in-law were going through a divorce.   These three kids were closer to me than most nieces and nephews because of us sharing a home and relatives who loved us.   Mother loved these kids very much.   She took them to church and tried to give them some basic teaching and love.

Those of us who are left that knew Lamar will miss him greatly.