This happened when I was around 14 (7 years ago - seems so long). I had a beautiful black and white cat and I was totally in love with him - more so than any pet previously or after him (for which I feel terribly guilty). We had a connection from the start - he was meant to be my mother's cat but within an hour of meeting each other mum just gave in to the inevitable and let me keep him instead.
Sadly though Menses went missing when he was around 2 with his son Tobey (1). For days we called for them and I never gave up hope. I grew very upset and prayed for him to come back to me every night. One day my sister said that maybe he was dead after all and I just broke down - I have never felt that kind of heart breaking pain in my life.
That night I prayed especially hard for him to come back to me as I was lost without him. Later that night I felt like I woke to see my bedroom door opening, but instead of the normal hallway light, a much MUCH brighter one shone and I felt immediate calm as I could hear Menzies purring, as I looked in to this light I saw him come running out of it followed by Tobey.
Tobey curled up at my feet and purred - giving me one of his cat smiles. But Menzies came up to my head where he usually slept and curled up in between my arm and my side. And it felt so warm and I was so happy and I felt tears sliding down my face.
I desperately wanted to pat him and I remember I said something like -"Menzies - your back" I had the biggest smile on my face and I have never felt that happy ever again even felt almost paralyzed - not like I couldn't move but like I was lifting my hand from quicksand.
As I reached over to pat him - as soon as my hand touched him I woke up - it was cold and dark again and neither he nor Tobey was back. I felt sad then too but I had hoped it would be a sign they were coming back.
The next day we found them where the neighbors behind us had dumped their poor bodies after their two dogs had killed them for straying into their yard.
I will never forget him and will always love him forever as my first soul mate.
Maybe your cat's wants to see you before they go to heaven... It seems like they love you. And they didn't want you to be sad. ❤