Close to six months and waiting, sweetheart.

The door has been left unlocked.

The carpet has been vacuumed for we know what a stickler you are for clean carpet.

The sheets and pillow cases are recently washed and the bed is made.

The curtains, your favorite color, are new for the bedroom window.

I’m sure you’re tired from where you’ve been and nothing like a relaxing bubble bath and everything is within your reach including the favorite candle and your husband the crooner who has gotten better in preparation…

Your toothbrush is next to mine, as always, and I’ve rinsed it under water every day to keep it fresh.

The remotes are on the end table next to the recliner, as always, with buttons ready to be pushed.

One of your favorite dishes, cottage cheese and fruit, is in the refrigerator and an Angus burger is ready for the cooking when you say the word.

Your clothes are clean and fresh and if you want to buy something new; we can do that. The other day I found a beige angora sweater I know you would like.

I have made the internet ‘favorites’ of Yale, Wesleyan, Trinity, University of Hartford and UConn schools of music for their concert schedule. It will continue our way of bringing warmth into our hearts when the nights are cold.

Your 2016 ‘planner’ arrived the other day and I know how happy you’ll be to get that organized and ready for countless entries.

In the past few months there have been times when I’d swear you came home and even our beloved felines Enya and Tammy were at the door.

They no longer are.

You’re not coming home, are you love?