Holidays Without My Sweet Girl, First Christmas without my cat Options

[Precious26]

Coming home tonight from my boyfriend's family's dinner, I knew my sweet cat of 20 years wouldn't be here to make Christmas eve complete the way I have always remembered. It was very hard looking at our porch where she always was. I just wanted to go outside and grab her, but it broke my heart she wasn't there.
It's been a month now since I had to put her down for kidney failure and it still hurts. I still miss her terribly, despite having a new kitten in the house. I wasn't ready for a new kitten, and still am not some days, but my mom was hurting just as much from the loss of our old cat, so she needed a new friend. It has helped some, but this is the first Christmas I will remember without my sweet girl.
I am not sure how to deal with this situation this holiday. I've lost family members and have missed them at Christmastime, but this is different. She was always there to help me through missing those family members, but now I don't have anything to help me through missing her this holiday.
How do we cope with the loss of our furry friends and companions through holidays? She should be going to sleep with me tonight, but instead I'll be going alone. I am just not sure how to deal with these feelings. If anyone has any advice, it would be much appreciated.
Merry Christmas.

[moon_beam]

Hi, Precious26, thank you so much for sharing with us how you're doing, and for sharing this wonderful picture of your beautiful girl with us.

Euthanasia is the last gift of love we can give to our companions at great sacrifice to ourselves so that they can be restored to their former youthfulness in the company of the angels. It is never an easy decision to make, for it is similar to deciding to stop life support for human family member or friend. Your heartbreak and heartache in not having your beloved companion's precious physical presence still with you is shared by those of us who know what you are going through, Precious26.

It is quite common for new companions to take on some of the attributes of the companions who are now with the angels. I know your beloved girl is closely watching over the new family member and guiding her in ways that will bring much comfort to your mom - - and eventually to you as well. Each companion with whom we share their earthly journey finds a special place of their own in our hearts and memories. They can never, and will never, "replace" our beloved companions who are with the angels, - - but they will have their own unique place in our hearts and lives.

I hope today is treating you kindly, Precious26, and that you will have a peaceful evening. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers, and please let us know how you're doing.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam