People often ask me, “What’s your favorite response to my question?” To date, I recall this man, who shared a response from deep in his heart.

I spent a few hours at the Subway in Wellington, OH, enjoying a Meal Deal lunch and using their wireless while waiting out two thunderstorms and repairing a flat tire. I spoke to a number of the staff, which seemed glad to have a connection with someone beyond a few moments. When my bike was repaired and the weather cleared I prepared to leave. Mike Sartor came out of the back with a bag of cookies for me. “They’re broken so we can’t sell them. Better you eat them than me.” We got to talk and I asked him my question.

How will we live tomorrow?

“Live life to the fullest.” Mike replied with an immediacy that indicated he had given it some thought.

He returned to the back and I finished packing up. As I stacked my tray he reappeared. “I want to give you some background to my answer.” I stood to listen. “My son died five years ago; he was 25. He had cancer, and when he was diagnosed his motto became “Live life to the fullest.” And he did. He moved to Chicago, went to cooking school and even ran a marathon. He fought his cancer for three and half years. Ever since he died, I’ve adopted his motto as my own.”