I know what you mean buckytom. I have gone through the same thing with the loss of Mr. Frodo a couple weeks ago. I didn't have to go through the heartbreak of telling my child about it though. I don't envy you that.
One of our outside cats (they are both female, and are both scared to death of us*) had kittens a couple months ago. I finally saw the babies the other day and managed to get them (they weren't happy!) and bring them in. They hide behind the furniture most of the time, and they hiss every time I reach for them, but once I am holding them they seem to like being held and petted. One is definitely a male but I'm not sure about the wigglier of the two. Even though they don't look anything like him, I am sure they are Mr. Frodo's children. They are orange tabbies like their mom. Having them has helped ease the loss of Mr. Frodo somewhat.
Barbara
*P.S. It's funny--our two female cats are scared of us, but they will come in the house to eat (one more than the other). The orange one hasn't come in much since we got Cubbie, but the calico (Scarlett O'Hairy) comes in just long enough to eat and then leave (the neighbors put food out so they get most of their food there). When Mr. Frodo was alive, she would lay at my feet with him, but if I tried to touch her she would run.
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