When does being sad get easier?

I keep waking up in the middle of the night. I have been sleeping like crap since we lost Wilbur. My heart hurts so much. I came out of the bedroom thinking it was a nightmare but he isn’t in his cage, chewing on the bars wanting breakfast. He is here, on the fireplace, but he is gone. I miss him so much. I want to give him pets and pick him up to snuggle him. He made these seal noises all the time it always made us laugh. I want him back. God I want him back.