It’s coming up on a month since Dan Wheldon was killed in a horrific car crash during an Indy Car Race in Las Vegas. The pain and anguish caused in those few split seconds didn’t stay in Vegas…it spread worldwide as those who knew, and loved Dan Wheldon shared their individual stories about their love for Dan.
Drivers, whom he competed against, told stories of Dan playing practical jokes on them. Indy officials told of Dan’s loyalty to the racing community; test driving a new race car being introduced in 2012. They told how Dan was the unofficial goodwill ambassador to the sport…a sport that left an accomplished driver like Dan without a regular ride this season.
Others spoke of Dan’s unequaled determination and skill as driver as he got behind the wheel of unproven car, and with a recently assembled pit crew win his 2nd Indianapolis 500 race…a feat only accomplished by 16 drivers in the 100-year history of the Indianapolis 500.
Then there were the stories told by those out of the limelight, whom Dan had shown kindness towards. Whether it was back in his native England, or his adopted Florida, people came forward with stories of how Dan had taken a moment out of his day to make someone feel special and important.
It was these unknown people who really spoke to the measure of the man. For you see, Dan paid it forward. He did a lot of nice things for people who could do absolutely nothing for him. He acted with kindness towards others, not because there was a payout for him…but simply because it was the right thing to do!
There are those who will say that racing is an inherently dangerous sport, and that Dan assumed those risks when he got behind the wheel. There will be some, who will crassly point out, that he was handsomely rewarded for his bravery…and others, who die bravely, leave families without the financial support that Dan’s family has. All of that may be true, but it doesn’t lessen the pain for all those who loved our best and brightest, who died way too soon.
I had a very good friend who started up an adoption agency in Brazil, when she and her husband lived there. Her husband, Stewart, ran a plant for Goodyear at the time; and Nancy saw a pressing need to help others. At the time, there were over 32 million children living on the streets in Brazil. Nancy met with government officials, and was able to have legislation enacted to allow foreign adoptions.
Nancy started up an adoption service, and single-handedly helped thousands over-come the grip of poverty. Many were adopted by families throughout the world. My own family added a member to our ranks through Nancy. Nancy also helped hundreds of children obtain medical treatment, supported foster homes situations within Brazil, and provided educational opportunities for many others.
When Nancy gave a speech to a group, it was like an angel was speaking…and in a way, an angel was speaking. Her words weren’t contrived. She didn’t come across as fake. She was able to involve others in her good works. She simply made others around her better people.
Nancy died a few years ago in her sleep. God took Nancy way too young…just like He took Dan.
I wrote to Stuart, and I told him that there just wasn’t anything further God could teach Nancy here on Earth. She had passed with flying colors this test before us all.
As a mere mortal, I don’t presume to know God’s plan for me, or for anyone else. After much reflection, I have come to believe that God doesn’t look at death the way we humans do. While death, for us, is a separation from the people we love. To God, it must mean the complete opposite. To Him, death is an opportunity to be closer with the people He loves.
When God looks down at all of us as we go about our day, I can just see Him pointing to a “Nancy”, or a “Dan” and feeling pleased that they figured it all out… way ahead of schedule. I picture God getting a large smile on His face as he watches their comings and goings. He must feel the same parental pride I do, when my own children return through the front door for a visit.
While we mourn the loss of people taken from us way too soon, we should celebrate those among us who quickly passed God’s test here on Earth, and were called “home”. Maybe not to a home we know yet, but to a home in another dimension. A home where you can speed in cars as fast as you want and they won’t crash. To a home where children there are loved and wanted, and aren’t lacking for anything.
Dan and Nancy came from different walks of life, and yet they had a common thread. They simply got what life was about, and lived it to its fullest. Maybe that is what makes the loss for all of us they left so difficult. The bigger the spirit, the bigger the vacuum they create when they return “home.”
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