A dad can be a special person in our lives. I was and is a daddy's girl and my dad died over 20 years ago. I think of him often and will forever. In time you may feel like I do. My dad's spirit lives on in the memories we cherish. I also have faith in we will be better together again. Don't worry about how long it takes to get past the grief. You are doing well. Sharon

Big hug for you sweetie.... I am so very sorry for you loss..... There are no people like our folks .... They are very much a part of us and grief takes time
I agree with what Shrn has written
The 'firsts' after losing someone can often be very hard, anniversary's, birthdays etc however in time we do develop treasured memories.... Another hug and a blessing.....xo

Having lost my father (about 1 1/2 years ago) I'm going through the same basic thing. I am about 64, but I lived close to my parents almost all my life. Here is how I'm doing it.

My mom died about 2 1/2 years ago, she died "slowly" via dementia and deteriorating health. So I said good by to her for a long time, and she basically "slowly faded from my life". Does not mean I didn't miss her, just that the level she could interact with me and others faded slowly.

My dad was more of a sudden passing. Up to the last month of his life he was self sufficient, although he did have dinner with us most of the last year of his life, and he did lean on me for help making decisions.

I am celebrating the memory of my parents, and trying to live up to the good things they did in their lives. (Some areas I am "better" than they were, others I will never be as good. I am OK with that.) I am letting others fill the void in my life that was my parents. No one person will be able to replace either of my parents, but I am letting others be part of those voids.

My dad and I used to do a lot of wood working, and talked about each other's projects. Now I do that with my son. Dad loved to eat, BBQ was a thing he loved. I share that with others now, and have added smoking (ie smoking meats and veggies) foods with that mix.

Emotionally my immediate family (wife and children) are a larger part of my support network. My daughter has stepped up quite a bit, and has made a point of being here for my birthday since my parents passed. Note: my sister and parents all passed in August, different years. My birthday is in August, so that month is kind of sucky for me.

I guess I'm saying we all need to open up our hearts and souls to new love and memories and interactions.

Gentle hugs

I am so very sorry for your loss. It will be 3 yrs in March that I lost my granddaughter and 3 days later my mother. The pain I felt was unbearable and I wasn't sure how I would get thru it. What helped me was focusing on the wonderful memories, with my granddaughter, it was bittersweet. See she was born blind but not completely and she loved writing notes to us, that was one of her favorite things to do and she expected you to write her back even if she was sitting right across from you. :) To this day we still find her notes scattered thru the drawers, in boxes and usually they are found at a time when we really need them I will forever cherish those notes.I was blessed with a wonderful mother and I know she would not want me to grieve for her, but to live my life to the fullest and to be at peace knowing that she is at peace and pain free. So for me, the wonderful memories are what gets me thru. The knowledge that I know I will see them again one sweet day is my lifeline. Sending healing hugs to you. We are all here for you remember that.

I'm so sorry for your loss. I too have lost my father. I was quite a bit younger and the circumstances of his passing were different. I don't remember exactly how long it took to "accept" that he was gone. Like you said, you will reestablish a new normal. I don't think we ever get over losses we endure but we learn to live with them. One suggestion I have is not to think about the long term. Think about one day at a time. It can be overhwhelming to look too far into the future without him. Try taking it one day at a time and when times are harder take it one hour at a time, one minute at a time, one moment at a time. Whatever is needed to help you through.

Thank you all for sharing your own experiences and recommendations on moving forward to a "new normal" and trying to find happiness again. I'm going to try to take it one day at a time and will know some days will be harder than others. I know so many people go through this and find a way to be happy again, so I'm sure I will too. All of your support means so much, thank you!