In the book "Everything Is Illuminated" by Jonathan Safran Foer, the protagonist experiences profound grief after losing a loved one. He awakens from sleep and feels the absence of her presence, symbolized by the missing weight on the bed beside him. This absence intensifies his longing for the small gestures and physical connections they shared, reinforcing the depth of his loss.

The protagonist's memories become vivid and tangible as he reflects on her absence, with each thought serving as a reminder of the intimacy they had. The longing for her presence turns his recollections into a powerful source of pain, making his experience of widowerhood feel even more intense and real.