In Memphis, Tennessee hundreds of people will line up at the gates of Graceland to commemorate the life and death of the Legend Elvis Presley. I remember my mom being so excited about going to an Elvis concert, but he was so fat at that point I really didn’t see the attraction…but 31 years ago tomorrow my world changed completely, and it had nothing to do with Elvis. We found out that day about Elvis’ untimely passing and that was very sad. I lived in Lascassas, TN and was 16 years old. I have 3 older brothers and I am the baby of the family. (That is a whole other story, lol) My room was at the front of the farm house. About 11:00 p.m. I heard a car drive up and then a knock on the front door. When I looked out on the front porch my heart sank in my chest. There were two men in uniform there and that was not going to be a good thing. They were there to inform us of the death of an even more important person in my life…my brother Bret. He was in the Air Force and had been accidently killed when his best friend was horsing around with a handgun in their barracks. One minute Bret was coming into the room from a softball game (he was a avid sports fan) and the next minute he was gone from my life forever. He was the closest in age to me at 19, and meant absolutely the world to me. So forgive me if I am less than thrilled about Elvis…and if any candle is lit in my house tomorrow it will be in honor of James Bret Elam, my brother…who will live forever in my heart…
