SECOND-HAND ROSE

My father always called me Second-hand Rose. This was because I was the second in a line of five girls and always waited with baited breath until my older sister, Jude, grew out of her clothes so that I could have some new ones.

One night he arrived home with a brand new bike - it was pink and purple and I was so excited because I could have her old one, which was bigger than mine and, of course, Pam would get mine and down the line we would go.

We all came out for the changeover and I remember going to get Jude's bike when dad said "The new one belongs to Trish". I thought he had gone a bit crazy until he said it was because I had never had anything new and as it was the same size as Jude's old one, she would still have a good bike.

I remember walking over to it, getting on and riding around and around the block then putting it in the back shed, where all our bikes were kept, dusted it off and made sure that it was placed in a spot where it couldn't get damaged or where nothing could fall on it.

I loved that bike and I don't remember ever having another one whilst I lived at home.

As long as I can remember I had hand-me-downs from cousins, aunts and even managed to own my maternal grandfather's overcoat once he had died. I used to put this on my bed each night for warmth as there was no electric blankets or even flannelette sheets then. The coat was always a bit of a joke in the house because no one could believe I would want such weight on top of blankets and bedspread.

This second-hand habit has continued throughout my life as I look around now and see what I wear from time to time. My wardrobe and accessories include -

My dad's long johns and his damart vests which get taken out every winter and because of the good quality, have lasted well over the 15 years since his death.

I regularly wear many slacks/shoes/blouses/jumpers/bowls rain jacket/dressing gown/slippers which belonged to my mother. (In fact as I am typing this I am wearing one of her jumpers now and also a warm vest given to me by number four sister, Marie, some years ago.)

The blue baboon outfit I wore at The Great Wall was one of my mothers' tracksuits which I kept just for that occasion. Tony, Peter and Flint - shame on you! I still hold that I looked pretty good that day.

And of course there is Vinnies .... and goodness knows whose once-loved clothes they are.

I have bowls shoes/blouses/a jacket/tracksuits all from my sister Marie.

I have some shirts I wear often which belonged to my niece, Donna.

The list goes on ....

It is not to say that I don't have new clothes/shoes etc but I still love wearing the hand-me-downs and when I wear them I often think of that person and it gives me good memories.