When I started my website, I had no idea where it would lead. I just wanted to learn HTML. I was amazed that there wasn’t already a Gregory Peck site so was happy to make it my pet project. Within the first few months, I was lucky enough to correspond with Greg. By the first year, I had the honor of meeting him in person in Kansas City. I was only 15 but was aware of how special it all was.
I was fortunate enough to meet Greg several more times. The second time ended up being a one-on-one conversation at his hotel in Fort Worth when I was a senior in high school. Just over half a year later, I had won an essay contest which took me to Los Angeles. While there, Greg and Veronique were kind enough to invite my mother and I over for the afternoon. Honestly, every time I was in his presence, I was almost too starstruck to function. As we said goodbye that day we hugged. He laughed and shook his head. “That’s not how family hugs!” He brought me in for a proper squeeze. “That’s how family hugs!” That was the last time I saw him in person and how I like to remember him.
Thank you for continuing to honor his legacy with this website. Happy 100, Greg!