Two of the men I lost this week shaped my life in ways for which I will always be grateful. One, through the fire service taught me what it truly means to serve others — to show up when it’s hard, to put others first, and to carry responsibility with humility. Another helped me discover music. He played alongside my dad for years, and through him I learned not just chords and timing, but the joy of sharing something meaningful with others. Those friendships become part of who you are, their lessons stay with you long after the conversations end. Seasons like this have a way of reminding us how heavy life can feel.

“Friday” moments—loss and grief — are real. Their weight can linger longer than we expect. For many, the Easter season offers a reminder that hardship is not the end of the story. Before there was resurrection, there was sacrifice. Before there was celebration, there was commitment.

Light did not come without someone first carrying the weight.

Friday was not the end. Sunday came and hope rose. Light broke through the darkness. That promise doesn’t erase the heaviness of loss or rush the process of grief. But it does remind us that darkness never has the final word.

In the electric cooperative world, we talk often about reliability, preparation, and taking care of our members. But underneath it all lies something deeper — sacrifice and service. It’s the quiet willingness to put others first, to answer the call when it’s inconvenient, and to carry responsibility when it is easier to look the other way. It’s stepping forward so someone else doesn’t have to bear the burden alone. Behind every decision and every mile of line, there are members depending on us.

The men I said goodbye to lived their lives that way. They served, showed up and invested in others. In doing so, they left a legacy that continues long after they’re gone. That’s the kind of example worth following.

Easter reminds us that sacrifice is never wasted. Love is never forgotten. Service is never meaningless. Even in our hardest seasons, hope endures.

As we move through this Easter season, hold your loved ones close. Be grateful for the people who have shaped you. Serve where you can. Invest in others. And when life feels heavy, remember: Friday is part of the story, but it is not the end. After Friday comes Sunday.

Cooperatively yours,
Dennis Mabe, CEO