It breaks my heart to find a newborn in the newborn 'bull' pen.
The girls are given sweet girl names
The boys are assigned mere numbers.

It's been 40 years since I've eaten meat. There are many reasons. This - is one of them.
These male calves are not long for this world.
How is it even possible?

On this morning - I talked to the farmer.
I asked.
Is it true? Is this what you do? Is this sweet child's fate as I imagine?

He smiled kindly.
It's true. In some farms they do. He doesn't.
He raises them here on this land as his own. He names them. He cares for them. He can't do anything other.

Still - I'll never eat meat.
But - today - I was comforted to know that I'll be able to watch this little one grow.
And maybe someday - I'll meet his little ones.