It was June 15, and in two days I would be turning 30. I was afraid that my best years were now behind me. So I asked my neighbor Nicholas, a 79-year-old man:“What was the best time of your life?”

Without hesitation（犹豫）, Nicholas said,“Well, Joe, this is my philosophical（哲学的）answer to your philosophical question:

“When I was a child in Austria and everything was taken care of for me 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（责任）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.

“When World War II came, my wife and I had to flee Austria to save our lives. When we were together and safe on a ship to 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 79 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.”