Wedding Ring and Guilt, party of two.

So, what do I do about my wedding ring?  Yeah, I know that.  But the stbxw made a comment about her wedding ring set last week.  Her therapist asked her "so when are you going to take off your wedding rings" and she asked me what I thought.  At first I thought I wanted to show respect for the union and my family by continuing to wear my ring until the divorce is final (God knows when that will be) and just left it at that.  I figured it's respectful to stbxw and children to display the visible sign of the marriage until it is no more. 

I guess I was thinking I would be anxious seeing her prance around town without her "married tag" on her finger and that it would signal to me that she's available to her boyfriend or others even though she remains legally married until it's final.

But this week I have been more and more annoyed with my own ring.  I feeling today like it's a signal to me of my own failure, of the pain that she caused me, of her betrayal of my trust and most intimate and precious commitment to me.  It's a source of pain now.

So should I just say "hey, you know, this thing reminds me of too much bad right now, do you mind if I put it in a box in my drawer?"  Or should I do as she is doing and just leave it be.

Also, this is a toughie for me.  Someone I used to date over 17 years ago has reconnected with me recently through a professional networking website.  We've exchanged some emails, a phone call or two and kept it above the table.  Just recently she's asked me to come visit her, help us both cheer up, out where she lives now on the west coast.

No strings and I know her well enough to know this is a friendly gesture, but she's probably also needing a friend too.  Why do I feel guilty for even thinking about going out there before Christmas to visit?  Should I? 

2CD