likesnow, I lost my parents when I and they were young and I think, I know, it is harder as we have to face normal milestones where most people have their mums and dads without them. I remember friends not being particularly supportive either as they could not comprehend how we are feeling and what we are going through.
Events are harder of course, getting married and having children were tinged with sadness each time, I have always thought I could never be 100% happy again after they died as there was always such a large hole that could never be filled. But, we do carry on, we do feel happy again, I promise you. My parents never faced old age, my MIL is at the moment dying (dh has raced to the hospital this morning as she is not expected to last today) and that in itself causes confusion for me, shes 85, had a good life and will pass peacefully and naturally, I find it hard iykwim.
But, dd looks just like my mum and that brings me so much joy, I look at her sometimes and realise that my mum carries on, I tell them (my children) stories about my parents, they laugh so I feel I keep them alive in some way. I`m aware of how losing parents affects us so I have already kept memories for my children, silly things like I wrote little personal books for both of them in my voice, so if anything should happen to me my children will have a little of me to keep.
At my wedding, I done things that I knew my parents would like, such as wearing a piece of jewellery of my mums, coming down the aisle to a peice of music that my dad loved, I walked down on my own as I felt that dad was with me and I laid my flowers on their grave, My DB said a special toast to them on the day. Both children have my parents names as their middle names and I talk about them a lot and re-tell stories constantly about their lives.
I can still smell my parents if that makes sense, silly things such as food and drink starting on tv this week made me cry a little as I use to watch it with them when I was younger, memories become very important.
Dont listen to people telling you to move on, you do everything at your own pace, you will have good days and bad, one day you will find that you have more good days than bad.
Much love to you xx