I like cats

Last night I met with a new client. She was quite grateful that we had a plan to help her with her problem. As she was leaving she gave me a hug and wished me a happy Mother's Day. She then looked at me and said, you ARE a mother aren't you? When I shook my head it was clear she felt badly so to break the awkward silence, I said loudly "but I have cats!".

The look of pity in her eyes was as bad as if I had said the second thing that popped into my head - "my mom is dead".

I sometimes wonder if I should have chosen a profession that does not involve so much human contact.