While attending my niece’s birthday party yesterday, I overheard my grandfather and brother-in-law’s grandfather chat as they watched my toddling nephew run around. These two men have seen economic booms and depressions. They’ve been in war. They’ve labored physically, raised families, and built legacies for themselves.

Here’s the brief exchange:

In-law: “I wish I had half the ambition of that little boy.”

Grandpa: “I bet at one time you probably did.”

“You think so?”

“You wouldn’t have made it this long if you didn’t.”