Annika Miller Memorial Fund

Early Yesterday morning, December 1st, 2016, our beautiful niece, Annika Miller was in a tragic car accident on her way to school. She did not survive.

Annika was such a beautiful young lady, with her big, gorgous eyes, and her stunning smile. She was such a bright light in our lives. She adored her family, her boyfriend, her friends, and all cuddly things. Her compassion and love for animals was no small thing.  She loved her horses and her new puppy, Piper, so much. My niece had a smile that truly would light up the room. She was shy and quiet, but was so full of love for life.  

Her mom told me yesterday about spending time with Annika & her sisters, Christmas shopping last Friday evening. She said Annika was so excited for her eighteenth birthday and hoping next Christmas that the entire family would be together. I don't know what we will do without her sassy sense of humor. We celebrated Thanksgiving together on Saturday, and she wore her brand new sweater with a dog on it. The dog looked just like her new puppy. She smiled that shy smile she has, when she showed us that the sweater lit up. Then she let me take photos of her and her puppy. I never imagined they would be the last photos I ever took of my beautiful, little niece. We love her so much and if you knew her, I know you loved her, too. She was so easy to love, so fun, and losing her has left our hearts shattered.

I am Annika's Aunt Jami and my husband is her mom's brother, her Uncle Robbie. Rob and I just moved our family back to Ohio in September, after eleven years spent on the West Coast. We bought the place next door with hopes of spending as much time as we can with our family that we have missed so much. Annika was 17 years old and we missed so much of her life by moving away. We visited often, but now that just doesn't seem like enough.

It was imposible to sleep last night and together, my husband and I spent the last 24 hours trying to be strong for her parents and siblings...Trying to understand how this could happen. The shock, the overwhelming crushing feeling in our chests, wishing only that we could hug her just one more time. Losing our niece has left our entire family devastated, but we are also worrying about how we could possibly help her parents get thru this. As great as our pain is, we can only imagine the pain my sister-in-law, brother-in-law, and my nieces and nephew feel must be 100x as crushing. Annika was the baby. The youngest of four. She was daddy's little girl, Mommy's little Angel, She was totally sugar and spice.  Annika was always very close to her parents. They have always been a very close, tight-knit family. Annika adored her sisters, although I wonder if they ever really saw how much. Her brother was her champion, her hero, her protector. They all tease each other, they argue, they play, they fight...they have always loved each other fiercly.   

We are attempting to help Annika's parents by asking for your help. We would like to raise enough funds to help the family with funeral costs and also to give them more time off from work without worrying about paying their bills. They need this time to work through the grieving process.  We were shocked to learn that parents are given more paid time-off of from work to celebrate the birth or adoption of a child, then is given to mourn the death of a child. Parents are only given a few days for bereavement.  It is our goal to help provide the family with the financial assistance they will need to take the needed time to deal with their significant loss. I can think of no greater pain, then that of losing a child. Melanie is a nurse and her career is taking care of others' needs & hurts. Now we need your help to give her the time and peace of mind, so that she can try to heal. That takes much longer then a few days.

We know that, for many, finances are tight.  Any donation is greatly appreciated.  Any funds donated go directly to their family.

Please remember our family in your prayers, most especially, Annika's mother Melanie, her father Keith, her sisters Ashley & Amber, and her brother Austin.
 The family needs prayers for strength, comfort, and peace at this very difficult time. We all miss Annika so much, but we know she is safe in the arms of Jesus and we will see her again soon.

We thank you so much for your support and prayers. 
God Bless You.