Sustainable homesteaders are different than most. We have emotions which often can't be tamed. They are raw, and they are there.
The miracle of life should never be taken for granted. The individuals who view our lives often find it difficult to understand how we can value birth and the lives of our livestock just to consume it a few months later. Fair enough.
Animals deserve being held, petted, talked to, cuddled with, be allowed to see the sun, stretch its legs, eat grass and bugs, and run free. Unfortunately, there are many which don't. Factory farming has taken away the understanding of where food comes from and the humanity it takes to be good stewards to our livestock.
One of my older children had asked how I felt when we butchered our livestock, and as I explained the about to him, he instantly understood.
Butchering day is just as rewarding as the day they were born. The animals on my homestead serve a purpose, and while they are here they will run free and live the lives they deserve to live.
This is what makes homesteading and farming worthwhile. This is what makes us capable of truly valuing the food we consume.
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