The Hoosier Race Report: Putting Things in Perspective

By Danny Burton

Danny Burton’s Hoosier Race Report appears courtesy of OpenWheelRacers.com

For a few moments let us take a time out from raging discussions that can be found on internet message boards and elsewhere about tire rules, car counts, track preparation, and greedy, incompetent promoters. People can get so exercised over words on a screen and can forget that, after all, it’s only the internet and those threats that they may make or read are often merely threats and no more. There are, believe it or not, more important matters and often they are right here among this dysfunctional racing family that includes most who may read this.

My attention has been called to the serious issues facing two baby boys, Andrew and Drake. Both toddlers are in a real and serious fight right now for their very lives. I know some of their respective families and can say that they are all quality people who deserve our support. Next to this, all else seems rather unimportant right now. On a personal level, we’ve been having modem issues here at home the past few days, though that is now solved. Also, I’ve been annoyed by some chest congestion along with a nagging cough the past several days. That earned me a visit to the doctor today, followed by the obligatory trip to our friendly local pharmacist. But when I read or think of Andrew and Drake, I realize that my troubles are nothing.

These little guys are fortunate in at least one way; they both have strong and caring families at their side who are willing to do whatever it takes to see that the boys get the love and care that they need. And both have numerous friends that they’ll never meet, who can only observe from a distance, hoping and praying for the best. Way too many kids in this world do not have that. God help them all.

Often we look to a Supreme Being at a time like this; it seems to be a natural thing to do. And often many of us ask God why He allows kids like Andrew and Drake to suffer as they do. Each of us needs to work that out for ourselves. For me, it begins with what my perception of God is in the first place. Unlike the fundamentalists, I’m far from convinced that God is punishing the boys’ loved ones for their sins. Conversely, unlike the atheists and agnostics, I do believe that God does exist and that His plan and our plans are not necessarily the same plans. I also believe that nowhere is it written that life will be a bed of roses, not even for the tiniest of our race. These things will happen as they always have and always will. Perhaps they are trials for all who have an emotional stake in the situation. Perhaps not. Personally I liken God as being a symphony conductor with humanity as the orchestra. We can sound that gong, for example, when He points to us, but we are under no mandate to do so. He does not make us sound the gong; we do have some free will.

With all that, we still ask, beg, beseech God to take away the suffering of these boys and their families, who can only stand by and hope the medical personnel are doing their best. Their pain and suffering has already exceeded what many of us will experience in our lifetimes. This is not fair, of course, but please show me where it says that life is fair. It has been a most unfortunate hand that has been dealt Andrew and Drake, along with their loved ones. And at the end of the day, faith and hope are pretty much all we have. I do believe that God understands that we may get angry with Him. But why would we not get angry with anyone whom we love? God would not be any different; He realizes that we are human more than we do at times.

So in the coming days as this Hoosier racing season winds down, think of Andrew and Drake, two little boys who certainly never asked for this pain and suffering. Think of their families who must stand and keep watch over these two boys. Think also of the medical people who have been charged with the care and well-being of the boys. And ask God to love them all and watch over them all, no matter what the outcome. And of course pray. It might do you some good to speak a prayer to God for the boys’ health. Ask that His will be done and then don’t be shy about asking that the boys be restored to health. But try and understand that there may be times that God’s will isn’t the same as ours.

May He bless and keep the families and friends of both of these children.

Many thanks to Steve Turner, who, without knowing it, gave me the idea for this article. Many thanks also go to my very unofficial critic and editor, who keeps me straight. And, of course, thanks to Mr. LeVan, who keeps this website up and running at all hours of the day and night.

To read more about both of the boys’ progress, along with the usual discussions about tire rules, etc., go to Bill Gardner’s website, www.indianaopenwheel.com. And say a prayer for Bill, too. He has had his own health issues and could use a good word with the Chief Starter as well.

Making sure to give the kids and grandkid an extra bigger hug the next time I see them, I’m…

Danny Burton

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