And in that one way you are. No one ever replaces a parent that was deeply loved.

My Mom died 43 years ago. She was only 43 at the time. I arrived back home from college very late in the evening and my Dad and I talked long into the night. He'd lost his own Mother many years before and one thing he said to me that night was the best and truest thing he ever told me was, "Not a day will go past that you won't think of her."   

At the time it seemed almost too painful to consider, but as time passed the cold pain of her loss was replaced by the warm flush of the memory of the person she was. Now at this long distance out I realize that the Ol' Man knew well of what he spoke. He died just a few years later not a day goes past without their memory in my day somewhere

I'm sorry for your loss and you have my best thoughts.

Spaw