THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS shocked the soap world when it fired Eileen Davidson, who created the role of Ashley Abbott in 1982. But while Davidson's co-stars are still reeling from the news, the actress herself is taking it in stride.

"Well, I've done it before," she says of her exit. "This isn't like I've been on the show for 30 years nonstop and I'm leaving. I can't even fathom that. I've come and gone before. I left DAYS OF OUR LIVES (where she played Kristen DiMera/Susan Banks), too, and I had a great rapport with all the actors there and Ken Corday (executive producer). So I've said goodbyes before."

Still, it was sad.

"I've been blessed twice by this show," reflects Davidson, who left Y&R in 1988 before returning in 1999. "It made a huge impact on my life in the '80s and it made another huge impact on my life now. I met my husband (Vince Van Patten, ex-Christian) there. I was able to bring my child to work every day and take care of him the first two years of his life without missing a beat, which was the biggest gift of my life. As a working parent, I didn't have to leave my kid. So, it was sad in the fact that another chapter has closed."

As for saying goodbye to her Y&R family, "These people — the crew, production, cast — they're the salt of the earth," praises Davidson. "It hasn't been super-great these last two years because there's been a lot of transition, but they've been the stabilizing factor. If you could print that, I would be really really grateful."

Consider it done. Meanwhile, Davidson will be missed. "She's a lovely, intelligent person, and came here exceedingly professional," raves her on-screen brother, Peter Bergman (Jack). "Really knew her stuff when she came to work. I always thought she was a great actress."

Davidson's last airdate is Jan. 11.