DAY 8: BONITA RICHTER

This morning I went into the basement looking for something. While looking, my eyes fell onto a box, which unexpectedly brought forth a flood of memories and feelings.

This box represents a time in my life that means so much to me and influenced the writing of my book, Women Who Make. So, today, I’d like to share an inspired short poem I wrote,
“A Cardboard Box.”

A Cardboard Box

By Bonita Richter

A cardboard box.
Unassuming. Brown. Worn.
Has a familiar name on it.
I ran out of the door so fast
And took little with me.
A few machined parts. Work notebooks. A Rockwell calendar.
This cardboard box.
Whispers a deep, rich history.
Tells of relationships still intact.
Means family working together
Over 42 years of building something meaningful.
Embodies my life.
A cardboard box.

Women Who Make is about women who are leaders in the world of manufacturing and through their stories they tell, in their own words, why they think manufacturing is an excellent career choice for young women. To read all of the women’s stories in the book, visit Amazon.com.