I've been there. It's so painful. I took a lot of comfort in knowing certain people really do know how I feel, without having to say much...my mom is dying and the best people have been other friends who have lost a parent or sibling.

Give yourself time to grieve. It'll be a while but eventually I hope you can accept what happened and still see a positive future for yourself without your loved one. I'm sorry for your loss. My mother passed away last year and it's taken me a long time to find peace and start thinking ahead again.

... the meaning of compassion, or empathy, until you've lost someone precious to you.