A thought-provoking read. I, too, am interested in changing my eating habits, but for the loss of weight that I am currently carrying. I don’t think I would miss eating meat, but my husband and daughter? I don’t think they can go that way entirely. A good steak, some Italian sausage, even I crave those at times. A diet of vegetables, fruit, whole grains, etc., is doable in my estimation. The writer’s anguish at not being able to explain his actions is definitly something he will need to deal with; his daughters deserve that, at least. But whether or not he continues his vegetarian diet is a personal choice. I, too, deplore the mistreatment of animals in this country, whether it be a pet or a farm animal that is being raised for meat (or dairy) production. I still cringe when I recall the video (of a butcher shop in China) I saw of cats and dogs being stripped of their entire skin while still alive, and remaining totally aware, until hopefully they were killed or died of shock. And yet, I still eat meat.
People will do what they think is best for themselves; forcing their beliefs on others is wrong.
Work out your feelings, writer,: you must for the sake of your children. They are, after all, your legacy, and what you do WILL affect them for the rest of their lives.