After I sold my condo three years ago and started packing-up all my stuff in preparation to move, I came across a journal from my high school days. One entry stated that I didn’t want kids, that I didn’t like kids much and that I didn’t want to be married. Well, that explains things! At the age of fifteen, I set an intention that stuck. I’ve never been married and never had children. In my late 30s the desire to have a baby finally kicked-in, but my boyfriend at the time who I eventually became engaged to did not want kids. It was either stay in the relationship or break it off with the hopes of finding the right match and someone who wanted kids. I loved this guy and my desire to be in a romantic partnership was stronger than my need to have a child. After four years it turned out that we weren’t very compatible and despite the engagement, he was very trepidatious about marriage, which at the time was something I wanted. Turns out my views on marriage had changed since that teenage journal entry.
When I purchased a condo in my mid-forties, I thought about adopting a child. I had the room to raise a kid and a well-paying paralegal job. But the job was demanding and my workdays long. Between work, taking care of two cats, and myself I knew that I would not be able to dedicate the time, and would not have the energy it took to properly raise a child on my own. Instead…I rescued another cat, Topper.
Topper and Froggie
I loved having three kitties in the house. Lexington, Punkie and Topper. When Punkie passed away at the age of 20, I rescued another kitty, Bella. I wanted a kitten at the time, but at the age of eight, Bella had twice been relinquished to shelters. By the time I met her, she’d been with a rescue group for several months (older cats are often overlooked for adoption). Besides feeling an instant connection with Bella, my heart hurt for her. I wanted to give her the best home ever and all the love she deserved, and I succeeded. I witnessed Bella blossom from guarded and scared to loving and confident. Three years after I adopted Bella she died from lung cancer, which was devastating and took a long time to overcome. But then another cat, Bobcat sauntered into my life and once again I had another feline to love and care for.
Bella
Bobcat
Bobcat, Topper and Lexington have all passed, and now I have a new kitty, Samantha. Once again, my maternal instincts have resurfaced and are being put to good use. It didn’t occur to my fifteen-year-old self that I could have kids that didn’t involve human children, that I could adopt children of the feline sort.
Samantha and “Bobcat”
I’ve been a proud cat mama for thirty-three years. And although I actually adore children unlike my younger self, I have no regrets for not having children of my own.
Happy Mother’s Day to mothers of humans, cats, dogs, bunnies, goats, horses or whatever your child happens to be.
You are a wonderful Mom to your cats, Pam! Happy Mother’s Day!
Back atcha, Leah! A belated Happy Mother’s Day to you!
Hugs!
I’m your mom and I’m still learning all about you after all these years. You have been a wonderful cat mom. Happy Mother’s Day to the mom of all cats. Love, Mom
Thank you, Mom. I’m still learning about me too! LOL! xoxoxo
Happy Mother’s Day, Pammie. I know those special felines loved you. And lucky and beautiful Samantha. Enjoy this Mother’s Day with your new baby. Sending love and hugs your way.
❤️Robin
Hi Robin! And a belated Happy Mother’s Day to you! Been getting radiation, so I’m a little slow these days…
xoxo
Happy Mother’s Day to you from another Cat Mom. I am so happy you and Samantha are together in your lovely cottage, and I wish you a strong recovery from your health ordeal. Sending love from Pennsylvania!
Hello Pennsylvania Karen! Thank you so much. It has been an ordeal and I’m so ready for it to be done…getting there! Thank you for your continued warm support.
xo
Cats are very much like children. I have one son and wanted another child after I separated from my wife. I thought I would find a woman who also wanted a child and I did, sort of. Unfortunately, the woman who became my wife was told (before I met her) that she needed a hysterotomy by a doctor who my wife later found out was having financial problems and probably needed the money from the surgery.
Thank you for sharing, what a story. In your case I imagine your kitties have been fabulous children and hopefully have filled any kind of void that not having a second child may have created.
Right on P’Kitty! Great story! Happy Mother’s Day my beautiful strong friend.
Thank you my dear Tanya! xo
Happy Mother’s Day from, another Cat Mom !
Thank you fellow Cat Mom! Hugs!
Happy Mothers Day Pamela. Your love is infectious.
Awww, that is so nice to hear. Thank you, Suzanne!
How fun to look back through old journals. And how interesting to see how things end up. You’re a perfect cat mom!
So fun and enlightening! LOL! Thank you so much.