I so understand where you are coming from Julie. When we went from 8 to 7 (our darling angel Millie RIP), the number of plates was a constant reminder like being emotionally stabbed each feeding time. Also 7 cats may well sound quite a few to most people but going from 8 to 7 actually felt like going from a full to an empty house
When we lost our Fred to CRF, I was bereft but distracted myself by bringing his doppleganger Boris into the fold. Given your current circumstances, taking on the responsibility of caring for another life would not however be practical I know