The unkempt feral cat with tipped ear showed up on my opened screened porch one cool, cloudy November day — some 14 years ago. I could not get near the kitty but started feeding him. With winter approaching, I left my garage door partially open and put comforters on a chair for the kitty to sleep in. Thinking the cat was an older female, and, because of his black smoke fur, I named the cat Misty May — after the volleyball star. Misty May was truly feral. As I brought food out into the garage, over the long, cold winter months, I would sing out “Misty it’s mommy. Mommy’s got your dinner”. The kitty would crawl out under the door as soon as he heard me. Eventually, the feral cat became less feral and allowed me to watch him eat. 6 months passed and by the time spring came, Misty May decided I was OK. He watched me from afar as I was planting containers in my driveway one warm spring day. And then just walked over and jumped into my lap. We were forever bonded. It was only when I took the cat to be vetted did I learn Misty May was a HE not a SHE – a neutered male, no doubt from a nearby feral colony. I had been calling him Misty for so long, I never changed his name. I have had many many cats over the years, but Misty May was truly special. He was my soulmate kitty and slept nestled up against me EVERY night for the past almost 14 years. His passing has left a huge hole in my heart. I will miss him terribly. Fly free Misty May and land softly. Your mom loves you, always and forever.