Forty-two and a half years ago, by the Christmas tree, stood the most Magnificent Steed a four-year-old child could dream of and wish for. It was big and it was red and it took tremendous effort to mount. But mount it I did. This great Red Rocking Horse carried me millions of miles. We shared many hours of wonderful adventures together throughout my early childhood.
When the time came and I outgrew it, the horse was given a corner n the basement for retirement. There it stood, ever proud, ever ready. Many years later, my own son came to live in this house. When he discovered the Red Horse, it became HIS friend. Once again this great Companion took a child through miles and hours of shared adventures. When he too outgrew it, the Mighty Steed went back to it's corner in the basement where it has remained to gather dust and cobwebs over many years.
Yesterday, with my almost fourteen-month-old Grandson in my arms, my daughter-in-law and I went to the basement to find the dishes she had stored there. The Red Rocking Horse in the corner caught the young boy’s eye and I sat him on it. He was galloping and laughing within minutes and I knew my old friend had found a new young master. So the Horse has left this house at last, and as I carried it out to the van, the joy on my Grandson’s face told me that my Faithful Steed will raise yet a third generation child through miles and hours filled of good memories.
So gallop on, Red Rocking Horse! You are forever as young as the child who sits upon you!
