I lost my "Carol" last month. You did an excellent job of describing the process of this sort of thing. You tend to forget the little, stupid things like that just become part of the everyday wallpaper until you eat, or drink, or smell something that reminds you of the person that used to be there.

Every time I smell something cherry or hear the sound of boots clomping, I think my "Carol" is walking up behind me and I turn to see nothing. And it's enough to break the heart every single time.

And I'm not sure what I'm going to do on her first birthday without her later this year, myself.

Very, very effective writing. 10/10.