Annagret To Ana

Born in Gladbeck, Germany on April 19, 1943, and now residing in Weatherby Lake, Missouri, Ana has lived a remarkable 81 years. She and her three siblings were raised by her single father who was a school teacher in Germany during World War II. After moving to the United States, she shortened her first name of Annagret to Ana, since Americans in Louisiana could not figure out how to pronounce it. She has lived in 7 cities across the world, and has pursued many jobs like being a secretary, court reporter, legal assistant, and finally a realtor. She retired from real estate five years ago. Ana has three husbands, has one son named Michael, and currently lives with her third husband Ray. Ana has known my mother since 2003, when she sold her the
Even though I have known Ana my whole life, I did not know any of the stories of her life that she told me in the interview. I learned so much about her as a person, and what it has been like for her to age. While interviewing Ana, she continuously taught me that no matter what age you are, you will always be in charge of your own life. She told me that she lives by the idea that we should not let the beliefs or actions of others get us down. Ana shared with me the things that she is proud of in her life. She was told by her colleagues that she could not become a court reporter because English is not her first language, but with her own self-motivation she became a reporter regardless of others doubts in her ability. She also told me that she was proud of herself for saving up enough of her money and walking away from her second husband. These examples showed me that Ana did not let anyone else define the trajectory of her life, and if she wanted to make a change for herself, she did. Listening to Ana reflect on her own life gave me hope that as I age, I can be as proud and in control of my own life as she