I don't think that saying "I miss DH when he's away" is the answer. You either enjoy alone time or you don't. Missing your OH has nothing to do with it. I know my sister hates alone time - not because she would miss her DH (though she would do), just because she hates being alone.

I love alone time. Does that mean I don't miss DH? Of course not. But I do know that if something happened to either one of us, we can both cope alone and can both do everything we need to around the house. Not like PiL, who are only alone when the other is in hospital (and that is horrid alone, not nice alone, I don't like that sort of alone) and FiL can't work any of the kitchen appliances - and is proud of that. MiL can't drive and lives too far from the shops to walk. It's not going to be fun if anything happens to one of them.
i never thought i could function alone until i lived in the quarters. even then i was dorm like so other peple were around. im really glad i was 'forced' to as such. learning to be alone and not depend on others (emotionally and physically) was a real level up experience for me.

sad about your il. i remember when my grandfather died how people were saying they were happy he went first. because he wouldnt have survived on his own (without grandma). mum was saying the same about my dad. we wouldnt be able to cope without her around (not talking about just missing either) but in May mum had to go stay with grandma for a few weeks leaving dad alone. we all worried how he would go, i remember going to visit him and the only thing in the fridge was a can of mushrooms. but he came out the otherside. he survived.