It truly feels like one million things have changed since I wrote my first Challenge Detroit blog post about my new life in Mexicantown, Detroit back in September nearly one year ago! While I still reside with the world’s greatest roommate in Mexicantown and continue to eat tacos on a regular basis, my life now feels fuller in a way I did not know possible. In so many ways, this is because of Challenge Detroit.

With the most intense 12 months behind me, I struggled to craft this last blog so that it would creatively articulate all that we’ve accomplished this year in our Challenges, all that we’ve volunteered, all that we’ve experienced around the city etc, etc. What I was left with, instead, was a desire to write some haikus to almost ironically encapsulate this massively transformative experience.

Please enjoy my haiku tribute to my year below, but in doing so, I ask you to think about how you would reflect on a year of growth and change. It isn’t so easy, and introspective reflection can be super challenging!!! But like so many other challenges this year, I’ve looked to it head on with friends at my side, and journal in hand.

Here’s what I’ve got:

Settled in Detroit,

poised with curiosity,

our venture began.

Joined every Friday,

connected by our passions,

a community.

Empathy, design,

Prototype and innovate,

Why? Who? How? Where? When?

GroupMe texts all day,

the five pillars linked to all

of our Facebook posts.

Living and working,

the support of family

energized my soul.

For when I was low,

the fellows gave endless love

and I am transformed.

Thirty-four new friends,

seven intense challenges

fellowship complete.

My journey goes on.

I am more full than before,

with Challenge to thank.