I haven’t lost my parents, which I think I probably can’t imagine fully without going through it, but for me grieving is the most horrible the first 4 months, but can easily last longer. If I regularly used to see and call them, then on a regular basis I’m noticing that hole in my life that they are gone. Every time I think I want to tell them something, or wonder what they would say, or think how much they would enjoy what I’m doing, or I want to include them in an event.
My family didn’t make big deals about the holidays, which I’m fairly glad about, so I doubt I would be especially upset over the holidays, but maybe I’m wrong.
I think if it was my husband or sister I would be inconsolable for many months and literally wake up in a state of horrible loss every morning from the day they died. Especially, my husband being gone. His presence is with me practically every minute of the day. If he isn’t within 30 feet of me, he is still in my thoughts, and we touch base usually at least once during the day when we are apart. When I go to the supermarket I shop for “us” when I plan my schedule I consider him, when I look forward to things it usually includes him. I’m pretty sure the loss would feel like the loss of a limb; a part of my body and being.