So Long, Boys…
Well.
We said goodbye to the big boys on Sunday.
I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t a day of mixed emotions.
On the one hand, let’s not beat around the bush - it’s not like it’s a happy moment.
I mean, I know these guys aren’t heading off to a life of greener pastures.
They’ll be coming back here vacuum-sealed in a few weeks.
That part is hard. Truly.
These are the same animals that we’ve been hanging out with every day.
They’re on ones we’ve been talking to. (Not always nicely.)
The ones whose ailments we’ve tended to.
And the ones for whom we’ve watched our kiddo enthusiastically gather up apples for so that they could “have a snack too”.
So, truthfully, it does suck.
On the other hand, there’s also a huge sense of relief.
We made it!
They made it!
Everyone stayed healthy and safe and there weren’t any big catastrophes for another year.
And I’ll be real.
There were moments over the past year that I wasn’t sure that would be the case.
Particularly as some neighbors and I were running them down along Hwy. 17, praying to God that they didn’t dash into traffic.
Yup. It was a fun day.
But mostly, for me, I’m overcome with the feeling of immense gratitude.
Gratitude that we’ve been able to raise this wonderful meat and provide it to so many families who value it just as much as we do.
Gratitude that everyone DID stay safe and healthy.
Gratitude to all the family and friends who helped us out with chores when we needed extra hands this year.
Gratitude to our customers, whose support has enabled us to turn this backyard hobby into an actual business.
And gratitude to our steers, for providing not only food, but a season of laughs, a sense of pride, and lessons in persistence and patience.