@both second and oldlife: you both definitely are not alone in this. my wife separated from me about 18 months ago now and it's been, at times, a rough ride. My situation is not important as to why she left and all that so I won't get into it.

Thing is now its been this amount of time, my two boys and I are getting on our feet, feeling better, moving on and things are stablizing. I have had to learn to handle my own finances, learn to take care of the kids alone as a single father (she now lives 2 states away) and deal with all of that, but with all of that, growth and maturity did happen and it was worth getting through.

It gets a lot better in time, whether you're in a situation to get back together with your wife after the separation or divorce, you'll be a better person, after going through it and finding your independence and self.

I'm here if you guys need an ear. Pm me if you like but you have to be on my friends list to do so, I leave that up to you.

Good luck and my heart goes out to both of you