On the walk back, I told Elizabeth that I agreed with her observations regarding faith and longevity. Panchita’s faith was amazing—her unwavering belief that no matter how bad things got, God would take care of everything. Indeed, thinking back, I realized that most of the 200 centenarians I had met believed in a similar guiding power. The Seventh-day Adventist faith was rooted in a strong faith tradition; Okinawan elders believed that their deceased ancestors watched over them; and Sardinians were devout Catholics. Panchita was yet another example, it seemed, of the power of faith. I asked
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