Megan's Cowboys

Friday night was the (hopefully) first annual football game between Megan's Cowboys and the Cook Little Gophers. Megan's Cowboys is a team composed of Megan Anderson's family, friends, coworkers, and others from around the area who care for her and her family. This flag football game was organized to raise money for the Megan Anderson scholarship which will be given to a Cook graduate majoring in graphic arts- as Megan did. For those of you who don't know- Megan's life was tragically ended August 29. She was a vibrant, fun-loving, country-singing young woman with so much to give. It is hard for me to write about this as I feel there are many others who knew her deeper and in ways Icould never come close to. They could more eloquently (or at least more personal and genuine) write about her and all she meant to so many than I can. However I have watched her friends and family and my sister Amy and have realized that each of us care deeply for Megan and the whole Anderson family. We will all remember Megan in ways that are uniquely our own and completely alright.What a great night it turned out to be. My dad- yes 52 yr old Mark "the bear" (have you seen all that hair) Shermer- played for Megan's Cowboys. He not only played but had a few good tackles (flag football might be in name only) and even a fumble recovery that led to a touchdown. Everyone was in great spirits and the night was a wonderful tribute to someone who enjoyed having a good time with family and friends in a big way. Megan's brother Jessie caught a touchdown pass while her brother Brett caught the two point conversion. I do have to say though that her cousin Ben was the MVP of the game. I cannot believe how many flags he pulled out (while almost everyone else had to grab and hold the person while another teammate tried- not always successfully hence the reason tackling started- to pull out the flag). Though it was a cold night you wouldn't have been able to tell with all the smiles and laughter coming for both on the field and in the stands. There's nothing like a game under the lights on a cold winter night- and the cause... Nothing better.
Megan's Cowboys did beat the Little Gophers 30-6. Though I am sure that was not the main point of the evening. I think a big thank you and (for lack of a better expression) round of applause should be given to these young high school guys for getting out there and playing when they knew the crowd would be behind the pink team. They truly are good sports and helped make the night the success it was. A raffle and 50/50 drawing were held a half-time. Amy and I had to hold our breath when the number was read for the Viking's screen tent- I was sure of all the items out there that would be when our number was called out. We are lucky though and none of our numbers were drawn.

We truly enjoyed ourselves and were honored to be part of such a night. Great job to each and every person who had a hand in planning and carrying out this event. Not only will Megan never be forgotten but when we think of her we will always think of the kind of person that she was. Her heart, her spirit, that smile and her light.

You are Loved.