It was an odd, bittersweet morning doing chores in the barn this morning. School is out today for President’s Day, and I let our son sleep in, so I did chores on my own this morning. Well, as alone as it gets on the farm with the Aussies and sweet baby Belle tagging along.
Despite the cackle of the chickens, hungry bleats from the goats, enthusiastic neighs from Cocoa and soft nickers from Beth, the barn seemed awfully quiet today. I know that sounds strange, but what was missing was our steer, Chet, singing for his breakfast. Chet always had a soft, mellow hum while I was getting his morning feed ready. And that small silence was deafening today, despite the chorus from the other animals.
Chet left the farm yesterday to go to the local butcher shop. This is the goal for us – to live a self-sustaining life, raising our food ethically and with all the love and care we can give them. I am so incredibly proud of how far we’ve come and what we’ve been able to accomplish in just a few short years. Chet lived a good life and was loved as much as any cow has ever been. I know that in my heart, and I am at peace with the life he lived and the ultimate goal.
But it is very bittersweet, and the lack of his voice in the barn just hit me really hard this morning.
