Our Story
On the morning of February 8th, 2014 our car was hit by another driver who lost control. Lilah, our four month old daughter was in her carseat in the back with our family dog, a boxer named Zuno. Our dog passed during the accident, we (Travis and Becky), were taken to the nearest trauma center, Munson. Lilah was taken to the nearest hospital, Cadillac, and quickly flown to DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids. We sustained multiple fractures and each required emergency surgery and Lilah was placed on life support. Becky was transferred to Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids later in the day so that she could be closer to Lilah, and her surgery was performed in Grand Rapids. Travis came after an early discharge from Munson three days later.
Lilah passed away due to her injuries on February 15th, 2014, at just four months and twenty days old. We were all showered in love and so much support during this time and are still to this day feeling the love and support of our families, friends, Leland community, and the volleyball community. Our hope, as we said during our daughter’s funeral, is that we can lead a life that honors her. We have been blessed with many things over the last ten years, including two younger siblings for Lilah, both Travis and Becky finishing graduate degrees, and Travis growing NorthShore Volleyball from the start in 2011 with one team to what it is today.
The NorthShore coaching staff have always taken it upon themselves to honor Lilah during the President’s Day Challenge tournament, as all the teams are in the same city. It has gradually become coaches and teams honoring Lilah. This gesture has always meant more than we could express.
The monies raised from the Lilah gear for President’s Day Challenge will go toward a new NorthShore scholarship. This scholarship will allow us to continue to honor our daughter Lilah by helping student athletes who may not have been otherwise able to play club volleyball, play a game that they love.
-Travis & Becky
