Anna's Story
When people meet Anna, the first thing they notice is her smile. It isn’t just a smile — it is a constant, joyful brightness that fills a room. Yes, Anna had Williams Syndrome, but her happiness is not defined by a diagnosis. She is blessed by God with a spirit that is simply joyful. She wakes up happy. She moves through the world happy. She loves life in a way that feels pure and unburdened.
Anna loves people. Not attention — people. She never needs to be the center of anything. She simply wants to be there alongside everyone else, enjoying whatever is happening. Running errands, going to school, riding in the car — everything feels like an adventure to her. Life itself excites her.
As parents, we are honest — when Anna was first diagnosed, we struggled. We grieved the idea of a “perfect” child. Raising a child with a disability is hard. But over time, we came to understand something extraordinary: we were given a child who lived with remarkable innocence. We understood Anna’s physical limitations, but her love and her joy are unlimited. Anna did not know deceit. She did not know malice. She did not know sin. She lived contentedly in a way that feels rare in this world.
Music is one of Anna’s great joys. She loves upbeat songs and the sound of drums, and somehow she can hear a song once and seem to know every word. Her singing isn’t always on key, and she might mumble some of the words — but it is always enthusiastic and full of joy.
Anna has always had her own little quirks — the small things that made her unmistakably Anna. When she was younger, if she ever felt anxious or unsure, she would plug her ears with her fingers. It was her way of finding comfort in the moment.. Now she often keeps her phone close to her ear playing one of her favorite videos, letting the familiar sounds of music and drums help her feel calm and settled.
But more than anything, Anna cares deeply about people. She senses when someone around her is sad or hurting, and she carries their feelings with her. When someone is upset, she almost always responds the same way — with a hug.
Anna has a special love for bees. Whether she sees one outside or on television, her excitement is immediate. The sound of buzzing or the sight of a bee always seems to bring a smile and laughter. If someone pretends to buzz near her neck or hair, she lights up instantly, laughing every time. It is one of those small things that never fails to make her happy.
A Little Bee
Over time, the bee became a symbol of Anna's joy - a reminder of the energy, laughter, and light she carried with her wherever she went.
A little bee with gentle wings. Came buzzing through our days,
Spreading joy and golden light. In quiet, loving ways.
Though the bee has flown ahead. Beyond what we can see,
The sweetness left behind still hums. In memory quietly.
In every flower, warm and bright, In sunshine soft and new,
We'll feel that tiny, loving buzz, and think, dear one of you.
So when a bee drifts gently by on some bright shiny day,
We'll smile and know you're near us still, just buzzing love our way.
You Got This!
One Anna's favorite places is the softball field. Anna loves watching the game, but she loves the people just as much — the crowd, the noise, the togetherness. The softball world is also where she “borrows” the most keys, to the point that people eventually expect it and hand them over as soon as they see her. For anyone who may have ever misplaced their keys near Anna, we are truly sorry.
Anna adores her big sister, Abby — or “Bobbi,” as Anna insisted on calling her, even though she could say Abby perfectly well. Abby played the role of a typical big sister: protective, watchful, sometimes annoyed, sometimes arguing. Anna, for her part, never wanted help from Abby — she was determined to do things her own way. But she was always watching Abby. Always wanting to know what she was doing. When Anna watched softball, she cheered for both teams — but she always cheered the loudest for Abby. She repeated everything she heard from the stands, especially her favorite phrase: “You got this.”
Anna's Light Shines Bright
When people speak of Anna, they mention first her smile. Her brightness. Her joy. Her contagious happiness. Anna shared these freely with anyone she met.
Anna is truly a gift from God. In the days after we lost her, we found comfort in the Gospel of John - words that reminded us of the hope and light she brings.
“In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
Anna’s light shines brightly in all of us who love her. We are sincerely grateful for those who continue to remember Anna with us. While we miss Anna and hurt deeply, her light shines everyday and darkness will not overcome it.
Anna’s Light Foundation carries her light forward — remembering Anna by sharing the same joy, encouragement, and kindness she gave so freely to others. By supporting girls who love the game of softball and helping them step onto the field with opportunity and encouragement, we hope to continue spreading the spirit that made Anna so special.
Thank you for loving Anna so fully, and for helping her joy continue to reach others. With full hearts,
Matt, Amanda, and Abby Wheeler