June 2026 | Joy, Grief and What Matters Most

By Sean J. Vanslyke | sean@gosemo.com

Life has a way of reminding us that joy and grief can arrive at the same time. Celebration and heartbreak can walk side by side.

On April 18, our son was married. It was a beautiful day for our family, filled with gratitude, smiles, and hope for the future. Yet on that same day, our friend Ken Macken passed away suddenly from an apparent heart attack.

Those two moments—one filled with joy and one filled with sorrow—happened within hours of each other. That is life sometimes. We celebrate while also grieving. We smile through tears. We thank God for blessings while asking questions we cannot answer.

Ken had visited SEMO Electric on February 16 and spoke to our team about “the power of a moment.” His message was simple but powerful: a moment of kindness, encouragement, attention, or leadership can help someone make it through the day, the week, or even a difficult season of life. His words matter even more now.

None of us know what tomorrow holds, so we must make the most of today. We do not know how much time we have, but we do know what we can do with the time in front of us. We can lead with heart. We can tell people we love them. We can encourage someone who is struggling. We can help where we can. We can choose patience, grace, and kindness while we still have the chance.

I am proud of Team SEMO for the moments they provide every day while keeping the lights on and the fiber flowing. We conduct CPR and AED training because life matters. We complete flagger training because we want motorists and workers to be safe around work zones. We offer free safety presentations for schools and community groups because education can prevent tragedy before it happens. Simply put, we care. We do not want accidents to happen.

It reminds me of a passage from my book, Change Me. Bless Them.: “Helping humans looks ordinary most days. Holding the door. Sharing a kind word. Listening without rushing. Lifting someone up when they’re tired. Small actions. Real impact.”

The truth is, we are all under construction. None of us have it all figured out. We all have room to grow, room to heal, and room to become better human beings. But if we are still here, then we still have time. Time to do good. Time to improve. Time to love.

I was blessed to see Ken about 48 hours before he passed away. He was headed home to Oklahoma to see his wife, and he was so excited to get there. I am grateful he got that moment before going to his ultimate home.

Maybe that is the reminder for all of us. Do not wait. Make the call. Send the text. Offer the hug. Speak the encouragement. Be present. Because joy and grief may both come in this life, but love is what carries us through both. Keep pushing forward.

Vanslyke is general manager and chief executive officer

of SEMO Electric Cooperative and GoSEMO Fiber