So Fragile

Kyle Busch passed away this week at just 41 years old. He was a highly decorated NASCAR driver, and his death shocked the sports world.

A sudden death in such a manner is horrible. Turns out Busch had pneumonia, and missed a few chances to save his own life. He developed sepsis, and it killed him quickly.

Tragic.

And news like this shakes things up, mentally.

He was doing interviews, and racing just a couple of days before.

One minute you’re here.

The old saying, “Be where your feet are,” is something that I’ve reminded myself about.

I’m throwing the ball for Ollie - and I get caught up in his enthusiasm (he’s at 23,600 catches for 2026).

If I’m walking on a job site, I’ll take it all in, knowing that I’m fortunate to be able to climb ladders and scaffolds.

We talked about Busch’s death here as I marveled at how quickly it happened.

“That’s why it’s important not to ignore the warning signs,” Kathy said. “If you get sick, you have to rest.”

Of course, men are well known for just barreling through and particularly in the construction industry.

“Oh, you’re sick??? Poor baby,” is a lot of what you hear from coworkers.

“But you never get sick,” Kathy said.

“Don’t jinx me,” I said.

But it is true.

I can go years without even a cold, and even if I get stuffed up, it doesn’t last long.

I can’t imagine that I’d try to barrel through pneumonia, but life is weird and we get lost in what we’re doing.

Just 41 years old, with a wife and children.

All the success.

All the awards.

An empire of dirt.

And what’s even worse about a celebrity death was reading the callous comments.

“Never liked him as a driver,” was a pretty common sentiment.

A pretty lousy one too.

Damn,

Life is fragile.

Enjoy everything.