First of all: Anke is possibly the most allergic person I know. Mainly she suffers when she needs to digest milk and eggs. I have never actually seen her in the allergic state, but I trust her. I trust her with many things.When I met her for the first time in a medium-sized Italian coffee place in my university town Halle, she mainly struck me with her shyness. She wears glasses, a nice smile and she surely is a pretty lady. Why so shy you might think? I thought the same.
Now some time later, she is a changed person. She usually radiates a beaming happiness and is very casual about it. She does not enforce her joy on people, but joy is her favourite topic, state of mind and even the foundation of her faith it seems.
Anke became a Bahai in 2005 and loves the quote: "I want you to be happy (...) to laugh, smile and rejoice in order that others may be made happy by you." (`Abdu´l-Baha) When she teaches her beliefs to others, she shows that same casual joy. And where she used to say "Oh I dont know" or "I am not sure I can do that", she now jumps on occasions to grow and learn. In the past few weeks, she learnt how to film a wedding, acted as a road manager to Czech republic, masters a webpage and is responsible for a weekly devotional meeting, where people gather to listen to the Word of God.
Oh yes, she gets on your nerves at times - but in a funny way. You sit in a consultation and suddenly she strikes a subtle punsh on your right arm and looks away grinningly. That is her way of letting you know a) "I am bored" and b) "I like you". Yes, I would miss the punsh if I had to sit through a whole meeting without it.
Here some odd theory to the end (cause students need to promote theories): Anke is allergic > Anke has to avoid certain food > Anke loves eating.
Maybe that explains her joyous attitude in general: She knows what she can´t have (as it will hurt her), but enjoys all the rest even more. Nice philosophy. Keep it up, little sister.
P.S.: Anke derives from Anna, which means "Endowed with grace by God". True, true.
