Embedded deep within our used baby furniture, are stories and dreams waiting to be experienced again. Most of us have something tucked away from childhood that we have kept over the years for reasons that are often personal and sentimental. Oftentimes, this precious commodity gets put away in an attic, or crawl space, and it rarely gets taken out or dusted off.

Perhaps some of the most heartwarming memories from our past lie in our childhood. It wasn’t until recently, that I realised how beautiful and powerful an object can be. It was my niece’s second birthday and she received used baby furniture from my best friend. She simply reached into her crawl space, dusted the gift off, and presented it to my niece. A gift from the heart, that didn’t cost anything.

How could someone give used kids furniture as a baby gift you might ask? Well, I think it’s the term "secondhand" that more often than not makes people scoff. However, the reality is that many used infant furniture items are in great condition and it’s the best way to buy name brand furnishings that you otherwise might not have been able to afford. In this particular instance, money was not a factor. My best friend could have gone to any local toy store and bought one of the hundreds of baby items to fill my niece’s room. Instead, she chose to bring the rocking-duck.

The rocking-duck is a piece of used kids furniture that has a story to tell. My best friend lived in a home where her parents were at all times taking in sick babies. They would nurture and care for these helpless infants until a loving family would eventually adopt them. When I saw my best friend pull the rocking-duck out of her car, I was flooded with memories.

My best friend’s grandpa made this for her because like so many of the babies her parents cared for, she too was adopted and it was her “welcoming” gift. Painted a pale yellow color with an orange bill, it had a leather seat belt that my best friend’s mom made from an old leather purse of hers. When her mom died suddenly a few years ago, this special baby item was put away. This piece of used infant furniture didn’t seem to have a place anymore, until now.

This piece of used kids furniture carried with it unforgettable memories, but more importantly plenty of love. When my niece saw this special gift her eyes lit up. My sister looked at me a little puzzled, not really sure what to say. I looked at my best friend and smiled. I am sure that the rocking-duck will be around forever. It will go from one loving family to the next and will sit patiently waiting for the next child to hop in and rock until their heart’s content.

More importantly, however, are the memories that are relived and the ones that are created all because my best friend went into her crawl space and pulled out her used infant furniture.