Lost, My cat haven't come back Options

[JuliaSC]

Hello all!
I found this forum though google search when I was looking for tips and support to deal with missing cat.
My cat has been missing 6 days. Saturday I let him and his brother out. And my favorite and very special baby cat never came back. He is my number one! His personality is so calm and friendly, he does things I've never seen from other cats. You can just pick him up and he will lay in your arms until you put him back. My husband tried to play rough with him and this cat would never fight back, because he is just such a great laid-back cat! He is the best!
We have hanged flyers, added a post on craiglist, called microchip company, then like 7 different shelters in our area... No one had him.
I cry every day, even though I understand stress won't do me any good.
Reading some of your successful stories has helped me to get my hope back. I see that some cats came be missing weeks, months and even years and then make it back. It sure gives me the hope that my baby will be back too.
This is a horrible feeling. When my 13 years old cat died I thought I'd never adopt another one because part of me died with that cat. When I adopted Miles (well, my husband did actually, on Christmas, as a present for me to keep my company while he is gone for deployment). This cat made me smile, made other people laugh because of the things he does. He helped us adopt another cat (when Miles was little and we brought him to vet, we saw a kitten in a cage, Miles started playing with that kitty, so we had to adopt him). Since then they are the best friends. I also have 25 years old cat from my husband's grandma who passed away and we adopted her cat. Miles gets along with everyone, he is just amazing and unique cat. But now he is gone...

[JuliaSC]

One moment I feel ok, the next moment I feel sad and still can't believe Miles is not home! I just can't accept it!

In your experience, reading about other lost cats, how long does it take for a cat to be back on average? I mean is it rarely for a cat to be back in a month or a few ones? I wish I had some kind of statistics. But I know it won't give me anything. I just feel like the hope is fading with every new day. I'm not sure if I'm strong enough to keep hoping.

I hanged bunch of my dirty clothes outside for Miles to be able to smell what way his home at. I've read that they can smell from very far away. I just miss him so much. I need him back.