Automation Modes

For those here who mix in Sonar via a control surface, how do you overcome the absence of touch or latch style automation modes found on most other DAWs?

Are we really left to automation performed with a fader and edited with a mouse, or just mixing with a mouse even though I bought a control surface(which I had before I got Sonar)?????

Is there a way to record a simple fader move, and have the fader return to its original position when it is released, without the mouse??
 
If not what is the point of having a motoized control surface, to watch the faders move? Why even have a Cakewalk issue (VS700) motorized control surface if it cannot perform the basic function for what it was designed for?