How did you feel or react long after your parent or parents died?

Myself and a couple of friends all had parents die around the same time. At Christmas we call ourselves the ‘orphans’. We often check on each other at that time to see none of us are alone.

I did and do feel very much like an orphan. It is a strange feeling having no family in the entire world. If I sit and think about it, it is quite shocking to me. But luckily I do value friends, and I do have other people who care about me. How did your parents death change you, or how did your perception of life and yourself, plus them change? Do you value friends now, to ensure that when you are an orphan you are not totally alone. (Or obviously significant other).