17 Comments
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Jodi Rhoden's avatar

AHHH BEAUTY. I love you so fucking much. Not only a poignant reflection on the tender human condition (❤️‍🩹😭💦) this essay is also an important archive of an inflection point in history. thank you 🙏🏻

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Keia Mastrianni's avatar

This human condition is so very tender. Thank you for bearing witnes. ILYSFM.

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Nancie McDermott's avatar

So moving, so powerful. The storms inside and outside, the home-work challenges, the catastrophes piling up, you wrote us into your heartbreaking season with eloquence and it means so much to read this. I am so grateful to read this hard story, told with truth and beauty.

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Keia Mastrianni's avatar

Love you, Nancie!

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Stacey Sprenz's avatar

Beautiful and heart-wrenching words, friend. I am so sorry you have been in survival mode for so long. This is such an important essay for so many reasons. Honored you shared this with us. Love you.

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Keia Mastrianni's avatar

Love you back, Stacey.

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André Gallant's avatar

Holy shit, Keia! First, I'm so sorry lasy year was so tough and congrats on getting through it This is exactly the kind of writing we need right now. I know I need it. This is actual front line reporting from real life, and beautifully done. Thank you!

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Keia Mastrianni's avatar

Thank you, Andre. Seems this one helped folks have a good cry. Also, "front line reporting from real life" is how I'll frame my essays from now on.

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Nikki's avatar

I remember seeing you in late June—navigating the juggle and the struggle. I love how, despite our vastly different daily lives, your words resonate so deeply with the human experience. The realness you bring to life and relationships is powerful, Keia. It's beautiful. Thank you for sharing so openly and honestly.

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Keia Mastrianni's avatar

Love you. You have been such an example of someone who walks through struggle with so much grace and realness too.

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Melissa Rebholz's avatar

Thank you for your vulnerability in sharing this recap. I resonate deeply with working very hard and making very little money. I do the “6 week” thing all the time. Like, I just gotta get through this super busy time to make it to the next one. Your reflections will help more of us to consider what’s important I’m certain. I think a lot part of owning a small business that you’re passionate about it constantly checking in with yourself, your limitations and your goals. I hope 2025 provides a little more ease for ya’ll.

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Keia Mastrianni's avatar

Thanks, Melissa. I know you are more than familiar with the hustle of farm and food businesses. Still evolving, changing, shifting and rooting for the little guys!

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Ellen's avatar

Life has a way of throwing us hard balls sometimes the tough stick their nose to the grindstone and get through it as you say it’ll happen again but next time you’ll be more prepared for it you’re doing good work thank you

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Cat Babbie's avatar

Thank you for sharing these truths. They hit me right in the chest, love you and all the Labor y’all pour into our community.

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Keia Mastrianni's avatar

Cat, thank you! Pressing send this morning hit me right in the chest too. lol

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Hannah C's avatar

Beautiful words, full of pain and grief. I resonate deeply! Wishing you rest and time to process it all. It is so hard to pause and reflect on the moving train that is a farm/food business. ♥️

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Keia Mastrianni's avatar

Thanks for reading. The moving train is so real.

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