Fate

   Bill's close friend during their childhood years in Kingston was his cousin Jim, Jr.  Their lives would separate when Bill entered the military and would settle across the country, where he raised his family, which included 6 children.  His cousin took over the successful family liquor distribution business, and raised his family of 3 children.

    Both cousins' first-born were sons, born within a few years of each other:   Paul and Jay.

    One had the reputation of "not taking very good care of himself," and recently succumbed at the age of 60.

    The other was an avid and driven four-season athlete, a competitive swimmer in his youth.  He was known for 4-hour daily physical workouts and his activities: biking, hiking, kayaking, skiing, mountain climbing, had climbed all 35 Catskill mountain peaks. He regularly rode his bike 125 miles from Woodstock to his summer properties in  Lake George. Four years ago, he died at the age of 54. He'd choked while eating dinner with his father at a restaurant.  

   We who survive attempt to attach consequences for lapses in judgment in taking care of our mortal coils, and statistically with some rationale.  But in the chaotic stream of life, taking control is often only a metaphor for whatever happens.  (Both fathers are now in their 80's, apparently not that committed to any particular regimen.