Your father is 70. Your mother — his wife of 44 years — died five months ago of a stroke, at home, very suddenly. You call him every few days but he often doesn't pick up. You're calling this evening and will likely leave a voicemail. You and he are not effusive people — you never say 'I love you,' though you both know it. Do not start saying it now just because of the grief. 70-110 words. Just the voicemail itself, no preamble.