I've had similar experiences but have always had enough family around me that it didn't hurt as bad. There are times that I see things that either my mom or my daughter might really enjoy but somehow, I get past the moment.

Someone I know lost her husband and it really threw her for a loop for a few years. What she and her youngest daughter did was to think outside of themselves. They volunteer at rest homes and at homeless shelters during the holiday season. They always have enjoyable, touching and even funny stories to tell and seem excited to go back. It gets them through the holidays quite well, they say.

It's definitely something I would try if I could or was in a dire need to get through the holidays.