Welcome to Anna's world:
In her world, people do not focus upon their limitations. They live each day with a smile that rarely leaves their spirit. No matter how long and hard your struggle to learn how to walk, no matter how many people tried to take pity on you, the real joy is now... so why complain?
Being born into now:
Anna's Dad comes from Greece. Her Mom is Dominican. For a while Anna lived in Greece, but when the doctors said there was a low probability that she would ever learn to walk, her Mom decided that the best place for her to live was back in Ojeda, the tiny village just down the coast from Paraiso. Some babies emerge from the womb with a natural gift for walking and dancing, while others are blessed with an even more amazing gift: a healthy spirit that knows how to enjoy life. Anna received that blessing.
Liturgical dance:
Andreina started a liturgical dance group with a little help from the local priest. When Anna heard about it, she wanted to join. The other girls in the Ojeda group made their first Holy Communion with Anna and enjoy her company. As they dance before the Eucharistic Prayer, Anna is usually out of step and barely able to keep upright. She moves awkwardly around the Church or, in the above picture, around the courtyard of the Church in Pedernales.
Beauty:
Turn on the television and you can observe only a narrow view of "perfection". The dancers or performers will be uniform in their abilities. But if you are privileged enough to follow the liturgical dancers of Ojeda, you will encounter a far more beautiful pattern which manifests the communion of different talents. For example, Brachi dances superbly. Her coordination is astounding for someone so small. But if she were dancing alone, the blessing diminishes. When her talent is meshed with Anna's smile and different pace, the wonder of communion becomes visible.
Engineering life?
Those who would cull out all of the "defective" genes that travel with humanity from one generation to another, and offer a future where the powerful and wealthy can design a child's characteristics... they need to visit with Anna and follow her around the streets of Ojeda. Some talents are impossible to engineer. They come forth from the deepest mystery of human existence. Behind Anna's ready smile with her "I can do anything you can do" attitude... there lies an unfathomable depth of spirit: the life of the One who makes us in His Image.
