I can shake off most of the comments people make, but I was talking to a friend today and still cannot believe what she said to me. This is someone who when her husband completely unexpecedly left her and her daughter to move in with another woman and her daughter (not his) a few years ago was completely devastated and unable to cope. She needed to leave work due to her depression over the situation. I am only sharing this part of her past to put her comment in persepctive - she asked how I was, I said I am exhausted, but other than that I think I am doing ok (my husband has been gone less than 7 weeks). She asked if I thought I was sick, I said no, it's emotional and just catch up from the last few years. She actually said, well it must be mjuch easier now. I let her know that no, that was not the case, but I could tell when she said the words she honestly believed them and I think she still does. I'm trying to let the comment go, but I still can't believe that she actually thought it would be easier for me now that he is gone - why would anyone think widowhood is not stressful and is easier than having your spouse with you even if we had been battling an illness. If someone else had said I think it would not bother me, but I helped her through that tough time in her life and she then went later in the conversation to say how her daughter told her that my husband had been more of a Dad to her than her own father had and how much she is missing him. LIke always, the venting here will probably help me get past the comment but man it is bugging me.