It was June 15, and in two days I would be
turning thirty. I was insecure about entering a
new decade of my life and feared that my best
years were now behind me.
My daily routine included going to the gym
for a workout before going to work. Every
morning I would see my friend Nicholas at the
gym. He was seventy-nine years old and in
terrific shape. As I greeted Nicholas on this
particular day, he noticed I wasn't full of my
usual vitality and asked if there was anything
wrong. I told him I was feeling anxious about
turning thirty. I wondered how I would look back
on my life once I reached Nicholas's age, so I
asked him, "What was the best time of your
life?"
Without hesitation, Nicholas replied,
"Well, Joe, this is my philosophical answer to
your philosophical question:
"When I was a child in Austria and
everything was taken care of for me and I was
nurtured by my parents, that was the best time
of my life.
"When I was going to school and learning
the things I know today, that was the best time
of my life.
"When I got my first job and had
responsibilities and got paid for my efforts,
that was the best time of my life.
"When I met my wife and fell in love, that
was the best time of my life.
"The Second World War came, and my wife
and I had to flee Austria to save our lives.
When we were together and safe on a ship bound
for North America, that was the best time of my
life.
"When we came to Canada and started a
family, that was the best time of my life.
"When I was a young father, watching my
children grow up, that was the best time of my
life.
"And now, Joe, I am seventy-nine years
old. I have my health, I feel good and I am in
love with my wife just as I was when we first
met. This is the best time of my life."