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．”
Words and Expressions
- workout n．训练
- vitality n．精神，活力
Read and recite the following sentences：
（1）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．
（2）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．
Now try and write out the sentences here：
（1）It was June 15，and in two days I would __________．I was insecure about entering __________ and feared that my best years were now __________．
（2）As I greeted Nicholas __________，he noticed I wasn't full of my __________ and asked if there was anything wrong．I told him I was __________ about turning thirty．
一生中最美好的时光
那天是6月15日，还有两天我就要30岁了。要进入生命中又一个新的十年，我对此感到忐忑不安，担心自己最美好的岁月已经去而不复返了。
我每天上班前都去体育馆锻炼一阵。每天早上我都会在体育馆见到我的朋友尼古拉斯。他79岁，身材棒极了。那天我跟他打招呼时，他注意到我不像往常那样充满活力，便问我是否发生了什么事。我告诉他自己就要30岁了，心里很担忧。不知道我要是到了尼古拉斯的岁数会怎么回顾自己的一生，于是我问他：“你一生中最美好的时光是在什么时候？”
尼古拉斯毫不迟疑地答道：“好吧，乔，以下就是我对于你那富有哲理的问题所作出的富有哲理的回答。”
“小时候我在奥地利，一切都被照顾得好好的，我在父母的抚育下成长，那是我一生中最美好的时光。
上学的时候我学着至今都不忘记的知识，那是我一生中最美好的时光。
当我找到第一份工作，承担了工作中的职责并且靠自己的努力获得报酬时，那是我一生中最美好的时光。
当我遇到我的妻子并坠入爱河时，那是我一生中最美好的时光。
二次大战来临，妻子和我为活命不得不逃离奥地利。当我们一起安全地坐上驶往北美洲的轮船时，那是我一生中最美好的时光。
当我们来到加拿大建立了家庭时，那是我一生中最美好的时光。
当我成了一位年轻的父亲，看着自己的孩子慢慢地长大时，那是我一生中最美好的时光。
而现在，乔，我79岁了。我身体健康，感觉很好，而且还和初次相遇时一样爱我的妻子。这是我一生中最美好的时光。”