I'm a childless cat lady again!!!

This announcement turned into a reflection.
Skip to the last 2 paragraphs for the details, or keep reading...

40 years ago, in 1984 my first cat, Boo came into my life, a black kitten.
I was 23, he was 10 to 12 weeks old. I found him alone on the street in Brooklyn.
Little did I imagine he'd be the cause of my being a cat lady with many multiple cats.

Boo impregnated my roommates gray cat when they were kittens.
Their kittens were born in January, He was a young father of 5 black kittens.
They were named Boo Bear, Junior Boo, Andrew Boo, Helen Boo, Bippity Bopity Boo..
I kept Boo, Bear and Junior, and had many wonderful years with my 3 boys.
Boo died unexpectedly at age 11, and soon after I found a young kitten.

I named her Cassie. She was a calico
She'd been tossed on the ramp of a highway entrance and I rescued her.
She ruled the 2 boys neither was an alpha personality but she was.
Bear and Junior died several months apart when they were almost 17.

Guy, a grey tabby ,came into our lives when Cassie was 6 and he was 5 months.
They were very close. They moved with me from NY to NC in 2003.
A year later I took in Lil, a small,sweet stray declawed black long-haired cat.
She died several years later and Cassie not long after. Guy needed a friend.
I adopted an older black cat named Tooter from the shelter., but they didn't get along.
Then I found a feral brown tabby kitten in my garden near the catnip.

I named her Eden. She and Guy were very close. She got along with Tooter.
Guy died at 17, A year later Milo came into our lives, a rescue dog, who likes cats.
Tooter was very friendly to Milo. Apparently she'd been raised with dogs.
Eden wouldn't go in the same room with Milo. 'No dog no way no how!"
Eventually Eden grew to trust Milo, and after Tooter died they grew closer.
Eden died last September, and I was no longer a childless cat lady.

My nephew and his pregnant wife were displaced here in NC by hurricane Helene.
They evacuated 2 hours away, to one room with their dog , 2 of 3 cats, and a child.
The cat that refused to go is very reclusive yet verbal and I've known her for years.
They asked if I could foster her until they're able to find permanent housing.
I said yes, and they rushed in traffic to pick her up and bring her to me.

Her name is Space, she's a little black cat.who's lived in many places.
She found her way quickly to the back bedroom, the cat friendly room
I may not see much of her for a while. But she's safe and not overcrowded.
I'm glad I was able to offer her sanctuary.
I'm proud and delighted to once again be a childless cat lady!!!