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Learning Curve is defined by Webster’s Dictionary as the course of progress made in learning something


During our lives we are more often than not in some type of learning curve. At 15 or 16 we begin the process of learning to drive. Some never master it but sadly get the legal blessing to get in a car and go. Changes in your job can have you reeling as you try to accept and put into practice new ideas and better; faster ways of doing what you already believed you did well. For many of us as we get older and things we have become accustomed to change or are improved, as technology grows, we enter into a huge learning curve. I remember as a kid, being so excited when we got an Atari machine. Finally, I was one of the cool kids. I never had the hand eye coordination to become the Pong champ of my neighborhood. Now there is Wii and I know I’ll either look so ridiculous playing any of the games or I’ll be the one throwing the controller, damaging either myself or my TV. Just imagine how different life would be if a certain former Detroit Mayor had learned the part of texting that explained the need to use a personal phone versus a business owned phone to text steamy messages to your lover. Clearly, he did not rise to meet and master that curve. Sad but funny to wonder how quickly he rounded the learning curve as a guest of Wayne County for 90 days. The image of former Governor of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich’s firing from the Celebrity Apprentice program, mostly because he could not text or e-mail, is a shining example of missing the curve, crashing and burning. But technology, business practices, driving, ethical and moral behaviors are only the tip of the learning curve iceberg.

I have found myself in the biggest learning curve of my life in the past 13 months. Thirteen month ago I was an active partner in a marriage just shy of celebrating 29 years. Then suddenly I became a widow. I’m not the perfect demographic for widowhood. I’m not the young attractive wife with small children or the older, well seasoned woman enjoying retirement and grandkids. I’m under 50, just barely, my kids are out on their own and I’m employed full time. I’ve struggled with questions, fears, sadness, heartbreak and for just a minute, the overwhelming sense that nothing will ever be right again. Most of that has passed at this point. Sometimes I’m still sad and I’ll always have questions. But my heart isn’t as broken as it was at this time last year. Most of these emotions have been replaced with all the funny, strange, silly and wonderful memories and stories I have of the 30 years I shared with my best friend, my husband. I have a peace about me that is steering me to make the most of each day. I’ve made new friends, some so unexpectedly and been passed over by some old friends too fragile yet to be with me without him. I’ve become more focused on my community, local charities and how I begin this next chapter in my life.

So the next phase of my new learning curve is just beginning. There may be dating, men to meet… oh good grief, make it stop! I can’t believe that I am actually admitting that I think I might be ready to try dating. Ok, here’s the deal, my last real live actual date… was in 1979. Ouch! I have no idea what I’m doing or should be doing or when I should be doing it… Is it ok to tell a guy you’d rather watch the hockey game than go out to dinner? Is it ok that I love the Wings and the Tigers but cannot watch basketball to save my soul? It’s the squeaky gym shoe noise, not the actual game. The jury is still out on how I feel about football. Aside from relationship issues, I have taken a good hard look at my health. I’ll face financial issues as I make decisions including, to downsize or not to downsize.

So I begin this new adventure in communication. I didn’t even know what blogging was this time last year. I hope you’ll indulge me in sharing what I learn, should have learned or may never learn with you. I‘ll explore what happens when all you know changes and you decide it will never be the same but that you can find a new life that can and will be just as wonderful. My guess is that there will be more laughter than tears and I’m sure a great story or two. So come with me as I tackle life as I don’t know it. Join me as I walk, skip and stumble my way through this latest, learning curve.