The gospel of Luke shares a short but beautiful story of Anna an old widow with great faith. It is about an aged woman who found joy in giving praise to the Lord, a great example for people of all ages. The story sees about a woman who became a widow very early in life. She must have married very early and had been a young wife, the number of years she lived with her husband is only seven years. Most of her life she was a widow, she had no children with her husband, so she did not know the joy of being loved by children or holding or nursing a baby in her arms, She did not have the joy of hearing her children call her “Mama” or mother. If she had have lived at this age on Mother’s day she would not receive mothers’ day call or receive gifts, flower from her children. Since she did not have children she was also deprived of the greatest joy of holding or carrying her grandchildren or watch them running and jumping in her courtyard. She had no one to turn to call when she was ill or sick. Despite all these there is no mention of complains or remorse towards God or envious of anyone. She never asked God” why me Lord” as we also do. Her mind was clean like a slate, her perfect and calm state of mind reflects in her life, making her a beautiful human being. She turned her anguish and sorrow to joy. She lived a life of devotion, giving thanks and praising God all her days of her life. She lived in the temple and faithfully prayed to God and shared the word of God to those who came to the temple to worship. I met a woman (Naga) in a prayer centre in Dimapur; she must be in her mid-seventies or more. Like Anna, she is a widow and has no children of her own and lives alone. Though she is bent because of her age there is no one to take care of her. She was not embittered or had any resentment, everyday she would regularly come to the prayer centre to pray and attend the noon worship service. Whether rain or shine she would not miss it and always end her prayer with “Jehovah-tsu, Jehovah-tsu”. She is a happy woman with no complain or needs. Like Anna she also lives a life of thanksgiving. Anna is an example, a role-model for old people. She lived her life only for God; she was a righteous woman, lived a sinless life and a life of thanksgiving not only that she also prayed for people who came to the temple. Her life was like a precious fragrance emanating the air and all the surrounding wherever she went. She was an example of grace; despite many disappointments she lived a dignified life. She communicated to people around her through her testimony. Her devotion to God and love of God touched people who read about her. Today her life becomes the message. She did not look for pity or sympathy; she was not like ‘look at me I am so helpless” or “poor me”. Yet she gave hope and joy to others and her life was a blessing. Despite losing everything she made God her fortress and refuge. Could anyone who had gone through such loss or missed so much in life could be that happy? Would anyone in her place be so joyful and live a thanksgiving life without complain and pity. Asenla Walling, Dimapur