Steve..In time it will get better.  I lost both parents last year...my dad in September..my mom in November..I had time with my dad saying goodbye..my mom died suddenly.  I have to say this turned my world upside down.  I could not understand the emotions and roller coaster rides that just would not stop.  I decided to attend a grief counseling session (group session) at the funeral home.  I could barely talk about my losses and listened to the other 25 people talk about he loss of their spouse, brother, etc....I felt like I did not belong since it was my parents...The doctor leading the session helped me answer some questions that I had without even asking him...He said...I bet you feel like everyone understands when you lose a child, spouse, brother, sister..but when you lose a parent people think they are older and that you are not suppose to grieve and just move on....I was so glad I attended because maybe the 25 people in the room did not understand my pain, but this doctor got it...He also said to keep a picture of my mom and dad in my purse/pocket that was a happy picture so I would not have to remember what they looked like when they died..I have also been doing this.  The other thing that got me through the last 6 months is keeping a journal and writing letters to my parents..I miss them terribly, but my mom was not happy on this earth without her husband of 65 years...my dad was her life and she wanted to be with him...Not a day goes by that I do not think of them..and sometimes the tears just flow.....I just know I have two angels looking down on me and watching everything that is going on....