Our world was turned upside down when we lost our sister and daughter, Megan Boken, to a senseless act of violence on August 18th, 2012. In the days that followed, the only thing that kept us going was the outpouring of love, support and prayer we received from Megan's teammates and friends. The communities of St. Michael Church, St. Francis High School, and Saint Louis University rallied around us and helped us honor Megan in the personal, beautiful way she deserved. You all have showed our family that even in the darkest moments, love will prevail.

We truly cannot express our gratitude to all those who have helped us, except to keep living our lives the way Megan did: with our hearts open and ready to embrace all of the good things the world has to offer. She had an infectious smile, a rambunctious laugh, and boundless optimism. It was impossible to cross paths with Megan without feeling better about your day. She was never afraid of a challenge, and her drive inspired positivity and determination in others. So keep going, keep smiling, and keep spreading the love that Megan shared with you.

Our family plans to use this blog to celebrate the things that made Megan special: her hilarious personality, her laundry list of accomplishments, and her love of volleyball. We'll also share news on events, awards, and other special deeds that are carried out in Megan's honor.