Recently, Invisible Children received the difficult news that our beloved friend and supporter Annika Lange passed away unexpectedly. We had the privilege of getting to know Annika at our Fourth Estate Retreat this summer, and it’s safe to say that she was one of the brightest and sweetest 17-year-olds we have ever met.
Annika’s good friend and fellow Invisible Children club leader, Jordan Towsley, beautifully captured her spirit while speaking at Annika’s memorial service. We’re honored to share her words with you here:
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I am a firm believer that one is never too old to jump in puddles. The first time I met Annika I was sitting on a bench outside the library watching the rain fall. She sat down right next to me, introduced herself, and we proceeded to talk about how much we loved the rain. She looked at me and said, “I know I don’t know you that well but I really want to dance in this.” We both jumped up and splashed into the first puddle we saw. From then on, I knew Annika and I would be great friends. She was just quirky enough to understand my weirdness.
As I struggled to find the right words for today, one theme continued to be present. How she made me laugh, how she made everyone laugh. She lived as though it was her job to make people happy and she did. She lived so fearlessly and authentically that her presence was enough to make anyone happy.
Between our trips to San Diego and St. Pete, to all the car rides to bookstores listening to beat poetry and indie music I am grateful for how many moments I did get with her.
It’s remembering those seemingly small moments with Annika that I find peace and happiness. These memories make me truly appreciate and treasure the gift that was time with her.
One of my favorite memories I have of her is the trip to San Diego we took together this summer for a leadership conference. Someone behind us made a joke I don’t remember. She didn’t want to hurt their feelings. All I remember from that moment is the way she threw her head back with her eyes crinkled shut and just laughed so unguarded that soon everyone else was laughing too. Her joy was infectious.
She once spent hours with me after a bad day writing our favorite quotes on scrapbook paper to hang in my room. Quotes were like a language between us; This is such a cliche and Annika is probably shaking her head at me but there is a quote Annika and I both loved that stated “Now that you can’t be perfect, you can be good,” and boy was she good.
She was a seeker in justice for all things, a lover of everybody and all animals, and she never stopped striving to be the best person she could be. She immersed herself fully in life and had a profound insight into the human experience.
Annika you are so, so loved.
You taught me how to dance in the rain.
For that I am eternally grateful.
Annika’s classmates at their beautiful beach memorial.
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