Sadness of a lost routine

It started early in our 63-year marriage. Pick up the Chicago Tribune afterwork, start with the sports pages on the train; try to remember where the crossword is (not any crossword but the one with today’s answers).

Later, slide the puzzle page to her side of the dinner table. Same routine after retirement, minus the train ride. Howboring. What a bother.

Maria Luisa died recently. How Imiss her and that routine.

— Jerry Strick, Frankfort