| I have always wanted a rocking horse and
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| | These thoughts are put to one side as we
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| I am determined to purchase one at some
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| | arrive for the christening of my cousins
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| stage in my life.
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| | first born. After the ceremony we return
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| This desire for a rocking horse
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| | to the house for tea. Can I sneak
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| manifested itself in the fifties when I
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| | upstairs to the Nursery to see if the
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| was a small child. We spent holidays
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| | rocking horse is still there. I can
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| staying with my grandparents in
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| | hardly contain my excitement - and am
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| Northumberland and in the nursery was a
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| | then told that the whole nursery wing has
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| huge rocking horse that used to belong to
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| | been turned into a flat!
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| my mother and her brothers and sisters.
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| | But where is the rocking horse I blurt
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| This was a dapple grey rocking horse with
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| | out to my cousin? He seemed very
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| a beautiful red leather saddle and
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| | surprised - I did not realise that you
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| bridle. The horse had a flowing horse
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| | loved him as well. We all did chimed my
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| hair mane and tail and was so tall that
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| | brother and sister and we all wonder if
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| we had to be lifted on to his sturdy
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| | he is still here. May be, was the guarded
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| frame.
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| | reply!
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| There were always fights with my brother
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| | Five minutes on and the christening
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| and sister as we had to take turns to
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| | speeches begin. We notice a white sheet
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| ride on this rocking horse. When each
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| | in the corner covering a huge object.
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| turn had come to an end we never wanted
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| | Yes, it was the rocking horse. He was
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| to get off. I can remember clinging on
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| | then unveiled and looked magnificent. His
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| for grim death as I was literally dragged
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| | dapple coat was shining, mane and tail
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| off the horse and then patiently waiting
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| | thick and flowing, brand new red leather
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| my turn for another go!
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| | tack, gleaming metal bit and stirrups. He
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| We all thought this rocking horse was
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| | had been lovingly restored to his former
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| absolutely perfect. We did not notice
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| | glory and was being given as a
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| that he was very worn - his mane and tail
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| | christening present to this tiny baby.
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| were thin from constant brushing and his
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| | As I looked around the room I could see
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| paint work scratched. The red bridle and
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| | the tears of emotion in everyone's eyes.
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| saddle had many of the gold studs missing
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| | My mother who is now ninety years old
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| and the leather was cracked and parched.
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| | recalled the happiness this rocking horse
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| The bit in his mouth was very rusty and
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| | had given her and so did my sixty year
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| so were the stirrups and one of his ears
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| | old sister, my brother, myself, my
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| was chipped.
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| | nephews and nieces and my own children.
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| This is hardly surprising as he was
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| | It was so lovely to be able to look
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| already 50 years old and had been in
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| | forward and visualize the years of
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| constant use! Roll forward 40 years and
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| | pleasure he would be giving to the next
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| we all find ourselves travelling back to
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| | generation. A rocking horse could be
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| our grandparents home. They passed away
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| | described as the circle of life, a family
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| many years ago and my much younger cousin
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| | heirloom to be enjoyed and passed on.
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| lives there now. As we turn into the
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| | I must try and save up to buy one very
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| drive I suddenly remember the rocking
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| | soon to coincide with the arrival of my
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| horse. Surely he cannot still be there in
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| | first grandchild!
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| the nursery.
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