Miz- thank you for sharing this post. I've for sure been there too, where I felt like there was an endless abyss in me and I didn't know how to analyze it or what to do. Good for you for not reaching for the bottle - many would have, and as most of us know, that just deeps the void on top of adding a sense of misplaced urgency/anxiety/fears.
Re: your kitty, I'm sure he will return! Cats are very resourceful and can find their way home even when a great distance away. I have an indoor cat, but friends of mine have outdoor ones and sometimes they stay away for days, even weeks on adventures. Hugs and thanks for this post :-)