Gone too soon

Dan Wheldon, an IndyCar champion and most recently, milk-guzzling winner of the Indy 500, was killed in the last Indy race of the season in Las Vegas.

On that same day, off-road racer Rick Huseman and his brother, Jeff, died in a plane crash.

In Dan Wheldon's case, it is ironic that he was, in part, driving in the race in which he died because he was working to help improve safety for IndyCar drivers.

It is easy week after week as racing fans watch at the track or at home in front of the television to envy drivers who make millions each race, and even if they finish last earn more than most of us will in a year or more.

But the danger of racing is the reason for the big paydays. There is danger, even death, in each turn of the wheel. Sometimes we lose sight of that.

Such days remind those of us who remain that we are mortal, and each day, no matter what our age, is a gift not to be taken for granted.