A sad farewell for a girl who knew how to live

By The Nevada Appeal Editorial Board

On Monday, Carson City said goodbye to 11-year-old Kyra Conway, who died last week after she contracted influenza and pneumonia.

From listening to her family members and to her friends, it's clear how desperately she will be missed. But it's also clear that, for such a young girl, she really lived, perhaps even more than some people far older than she.

That seems a fitting lesson to take away, even as we try to comprehend a tragedy that makes no sense.

No, we cannot protect ourselves and our families from all of life's risks, a reality that is also evident from the murder of Brianna Denison in Reno, whose killer remains at large.

But we can reduce those risks. While the precise cause of Kyra's death will never be known, and her family did the right things in seeking medical care, many parents now understand as a result how serious such a common illness can be.

And, in the case of Brianna Denison's death, the message is even more urgent in that we must make sure our families take precautions not just from this killer, but from the other offenders who live among us. They include knowing where our children are at all times and making sure they know how to protect themselves in any situation.

While it's vital to remember those precautions, it's also important not to forget how important it is to live fully ... each day is far too precious to live in the shadow of fear.

• This editorial represents the view of the Nevada Appeal Editorial Board