SWAN PLANTER

THE SWAN PLANTERS

When I was a young teen living with my parents outside the village of Norwood, Ontario, my father took it upon himself to build beautiful swan planters. He made these creations with concrete poured into a mould. After leaving the cement to dry, the moulds were removed, and the swans were painted. Dad made two dozen of these swans, making sure his family members each received one. The rest were sold throughout the area.

After spending thirty-five years in the U.S., I returned to the area. My sister, Hilda, gave me the swan planter from her house, as she was moving to another residence and was unable to take it with her. This photo is of her old planter, showing its beauty with a cascade of colours. Last summer, my wife was looking through the garage and auction sales in the local newspaper and told me of an auction advertising two concrete swan planters. She asked me if I thought these might be ones made by my father over fifty years ago.

With my wife’s sister and husband in tow, we left for Campbellford, a small country town thirty miles from Peterborough. Minutes after parking the car and entering the country setting, we came upon the swans sitting in the grass near the entrance to the auction area. A flood of memories made tears come to my eyes as I remember my father diligently creating these pieces of art.

Being one of the last items to be put up for sale, I foolishly underestimated the beauty of dad’s swans, leaving a reserved bid higher than I felt was needed for their purchase. Returning two hours later, much to my dismay, an older couple who wanted the swans for their front porch had outbid me; the swans now sitting in the back of their pickup truck.

Conversing with the couple who purchased them, I shared my story and told them I hoped they enjoyed them. With a happy smile on their faces, the couple left the auction with the swans. Somewhere in the countryside now sit my father’s creations, planted with beautiful flowers. My chance encounter with the swans was a miracle, proving somethings can never be forgotten, even after fifty years.

William Stanley