Journal entry by Kylie Miner —
Hi friends and family,
It's been almost six months since my mom died. It feels pretty surreal to type that out.
I have been so grateful for everyone who has reached out and sent well wishes. The cards, phone calls, emails, and text messages have been so appreciated and I am so grateful for all of them, even if I'm not the best at responding in a timely manner, if at all.
This summer has been a blur - both in a good and absolutely awful way. I've been doing a lot of traveling - I've seen Mexico twice, Florida, Wisconsin, and Arizona outside of my usual South Dakota and Minnesota the last six months. I have travel to Europe scheduled next month, to see a good friend of mine marry the love her life. There has been so much to celebrate, so many fun things happening - and I'm doing my best to keep moving forward. My mom never wanted to sugar coat things on this blog, and with that in mind, I have to mention how devastatingly heart broken I've been through all of that.
I know that she's not sick anymore, I know that she's proud of me, and I know that she loves watching me work the Ranch and keep things running (maybe not always running smoothly, but running none the less). Even with all of that knowing, it doesn't replace her infectious laughter or her quick-witted jokes. Everyone who knew her knew what a bright light she was - If you're reading this, you probably agree.
Miner Ranch is a huge part of my mom's legacy - and it will become mine as well. I've added chickens and another horse, made some changes of my own to have it feel more like home, and I am so happy to be here. It is such a change from what I was living for the last 12 years in downtown Minneapolis. Leaving all of my friends and loved ones behind to start a completely new life without my mom has been the hardest thing that I've ever had to do. I've cried a lot but I've laughed a lot too. The land is beautiful, the sun warms my heart, and the stars shine brighter out here. Not to mention there is always something to do on the ranch.
Miner Ranch is expanding - I'm already planning on doing a fall/harvest festival and haunted hay rides for 2023. I'm looking into listing the Ranch as a camp site and other event sites. I hope to eventually add equine facilitated learning experiences back into the Ranch. You can follow @MinerRanch on Instagram or Facebook if you're interested in following that journey.
I don't plan on updating this anymore, but I did feel the need to let everyone know that I am okay, I am more than thrilled about being on the Ranch, and that I love and appreciate you all so much. Please stay in touch.
With Love,
Kylie Miner
33550 302nd Street, Gregory SD 57533
kylieminer@gmail.com
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