This is Mr. Esmond Allcock, who was innate in 1910 not far from Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. He developed the oldest living man in Canada on January 26th, his 108th date of birth. As a loving spouse, proud father of six, grandfather to seventeen, great-grandfather to thirty-six, and great-great-grandfather to twelve, he has led an odd life.
The detail that Mr. Esmond is my great-grandfather and that I had the good wealth to spend more than 30 years with him as a adored presence rather than a cold family reminiscence adds even more personal sense to this tale.
I’ve had the good fortune to spend uncountable moments with my great-grandparents, whereas many others only know them from old photos or gossip. One phrase sums up some of my initial memories of him: “Walk Walk.”
I would sneak over to him as a kid, still learning how to balance, pull on his hands, and ask him to help me walk. He would always pick me up and lead me in a hand-in-hand line around the room. He would lovingly refer to me as his “little buddy” as I got older, and our unique connection continued during the years. Great-Grandpa Esmond was thrilled when I became pregnant with my first child.
He laughed and said I was helping grow the population, then happily called his kids to share the news. By the time I was expecting my second child, he casually told my grandmother that no one had yet named a child after him, even though he had 71 off springs.
I still think about that comment. That gentle prod was all the approval my husband and I needed to choose on a family name for our new baby. Our son Esmond, named after the man who taught me to walk and who has always had such a special place in my heart, was born on January 11, 2017.
I packed up baby Esmond and travelled to meet his namesake as soon as the snow started to melt. We went to see Great-Grandpa in a nearby province. He didn’t know who I was when we got there. He couldn’t quite place me, but he documented my grandparents his daughter and son-in-law. I presented myself respectfully, but by that time he was totally focused on baby Esmond.
The two of them clicked right away. With awe, my great-grandfather cradled his namesake in his arms and kissed his little head sympathetically. He had a flash of insight in between through our visit, and he looked at me instantly.
He recollected our common past as if it were a warm breeze, saying, “You’re the Walk Walk girl.” “You don’t know what this means to me,” he repeated, holding baby Esmond close while glancing down at him. This means so much to me you don’t even know.
I also wish there were words that could adequately convey what it meant to me. It was truly sacred to witness the two Esmonds one at birth and the other after more than an era— delivery that moment. Even though it has been a few months since that visit, my great-grandfather continues to ask about his namesake.
He obtain apprises from my grandmother about little Ez, as we call him, including pictures and stories. And we’ll make that trip again when the snow clears. As the Walk Walk girl who saw the lovely full circle of love, money, and family, I am looking onward to seeing the two of them together once more great-great-grandfather Esmond, baby Ez, and me.
