When my dad died years ago, I described it as having my mooring lines cut. I felt like I was suddenly adrift at sea.
That's what I felt like when my dad died (24 years now). I still think of him every day - good stuff, happy thoughts. He was a great man.
My mom is drifting away little by little as dementia takes her away. She is not going peacefully - she is confused, scared, angry, desperate. We're doing all we can to give her peace, but it isn't helping much. Dementia sucks.