Let me add a bit to this; both my wife and I had 4 speed Mazda RX3’s – she was pretty good with that 4 speed and awhile back admitted to several stoplight drag races! She usually won. (Glad the police never caught her). Oh to be young again!
Like you, I learned on a stick; 49 Dodge pickup 4 speed. 3-on-a-tree was easy. 20+ years ago qualified to drive 10 speed school bus. I love using/having a manual transmission but, as you say, they are hard to come by these days, even in used vehicles. And you are so correct: Like riding a bike, you really don’t ever forget.
Not for long I suspect.