The Old Rocker

Back and forth. Back and forth. The wooden rocker moved back and forth soothing babe in mothers arms.

New replaces old. The chair that once was handcrafted is replaced by a wall rocker that glides back and forth. New mothers don't know what they are missing.

I have my Mom and Pop Johnson's old rocker. I don't really know the history of the lovely chair, but it sat next to their bed. I barely remember it. I had seen it when I was a child only allowed in their room a couple of times.

Mom rocked us in an old Mission Style rocker. She rocked her grandbabies in an overstuffed rocker. Generations have lulled to sleep in the arms of their mothers. Back and forth. Back and forth.

I was going to get rid of our old rocker. But, no. My son wanted it. How could I part with a chair that had rocked my babies?!?! Back and forth. Back and forth.

Often I sit in my mother's old rocker. I feel close to her again. I am once more back in the playroom of the house back the lane. My dolls is lulled to sleep by the rocking. My feet do not touch the floor, so I push my body back and forth as if I am on a swing. The small Tiny Tears doll goes to sleep.

Back and forth. Back and forth. The rhythm of another time brought home.