This last weekend, I was in Pensacola, Florida. When I told my friend that, he said “what are you doing in Florida?” I said, “Trying to get out.” But I was actually there for Pensacon. It’s a convention that has invited me year after year, but hasn’t ever fit into my schedule until this year, so it was my first time.
Florida deserves the jokes we make about it, but my experience when I was there was quite lovely. Every person I interacted with was kind, friendly, helpful. I had an incredible piece of blackened gulf red snapper for dinner one night, my bed was comfy, and I did not have a single awkward or uncomfortable encounter with anyone at the show.
None of that is why this will be one of the most memorable conventions of my life, and I will now tell you why.
Holy. Shit.
I turned to my friend, Leah, who works with me at conventions to keep things running smoothly. “Dude, I have to come do this tomorrow.”
“Okay, we’ll take care of it,” she said.
So Saturday comes around, and I’m signing autographs at my table. Leah taps me on the shoulder and says, “it’s time to go downstairs.”
The excitement that surged inside of me threatened to explode out of my chest like Alien. I told the people who were in the line that I would be right back, I was going to fulfill a childhood dream.
We went downstairs to the photo-op area, and I apologized to the line I was cutting. They seemed to understand, my fellow fans of CHiPs, who also could not believe this was actually happening.
I bounced on the balls of my feet while I waited, and oh shit here comes Larry Wilcox. And he’s wearing a CHP uniform shirt with a name tag that says JOHN! I tried so hard to control my bouncing, but I’m pretty sure I failed.
We made eye contact and I said, “Hi, I’m Wil. I’m a huge fan and I am so excited to take a picture with you.”
“It’s so nice to meet you, I’m Larry.” We shook hands, and I didn’t keep shaking it like I did when I met Henry Rollins thank god.
There was a commotion around the corner, which could only mean one thing. Here comes Erik Estrada, much taller than I expected, and he is wearing a uniform shirt with a name tag that says PONCH.
Dude, it’s totally Ponch. Like, right there, right in front of me, are Ponch and John and I’m so excited I can’t tell if I’m going to burst into tears or throw up or what.
They take their positions on their marks, which are the same marks I had been using just a little bit earlier, and the photographer tells me that they are ready.
This is my chance. This is the one time I get to say this. I take a deep breath, and I say, “I don’t want to take up a ton of your time, so I’ll say this quickly. I grew up in Sunland-Tujunga, and you guys used to film in my neighborhood all the time.”
They looked at each other. “Sunland-Tujunga!” Larry Wilcox said. “We love Sunland-Tujunga!”
“Yeah, it was a great place to grow up. So I loved watching CHiPs, and I loved that I could see streets I recognized when I watched it.
“One day when you were filming, in like 1979, I think, my babysitter went to the set and came back with your autographs for me. I cherished them, until they were lost in a move probably 40 years ago.”
Erik Estrada’s eyes lit up and he flashed me that classic Ponch smile. I took a steadying breath.
“But this is really what I wanted to tell you: I had a rough childhood, with a lot of abuse an exploitation. I was sad and scared most of the time. But whenever you were on my TV, I was happy and I was safe. I loved CHiPs so much. You were the adults I wished I’d had in my life. You guys protected people, you stood up to bullies, and the whole cast felt like a group of people who were always there for each other. I desperately wanted that in my life, and watching CHiPs got me as close to it as I could get. So I really just want to say thank you for your work and for the joyful memories you gave me.”
“Oh, buddy,” Erick Estrada said, “thank you. Come here,” and he pulled me into a warm and loving hug.
“Thank you,” I said, “you have no idea.”
“I think maybe we do,” Larry Wilcox said, very kindly, with a warm smile. Maybe I’m not the first person to share a story like mine with them.
“Let’s take a great picture,” Erik Estrada said.
“Thank you. I’d love that,” I said.
I stood between them, they put their arms around me, and a dream came true for 9 year-old Wil.
They were such kind men. I felt seen and I felt special. All these years later, Ponch and John can still make this weird, sad, scared, little kid feel safe.
I will cherish this memory for the rest of my life.
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I’m not crying, YOU’RE crying! If ever I meet you, I want to give you the biggest Mom hug!
OMG that was awesome! ICONIC PIC!
Boy do I understand this feeling. When I met Carroll Spinney who played Big Bird for all those years it was just before his passing. My college friends had a certificate made for me one year during our annual superlatives that said ‘Most likely to work on Sesame Street’. When he went to autograph it he was so much of an artist that he tried to imitate the calligraphy font that was printed on it, but he was so ill he couldn’t finish it. His wife stopped him and made him do a regular signature. I had been epileptic as a child on top of living in an abusive situation, and learned to talk because of his album. In situations like this I tend to ramble because I expected to not have enough time to say everything I wanted. But this time all I could get out was ‘thank you for making me who I am’. He looked at me and said ‘you turned out very well’ and I turned into a 5 year old pile of mush.
I’ve come to believe in the power of giving people their flowers while they’re still here. Which is why when meeting you in Red Bank I ended up rambling on to you so much that they had to shoo me out of there. (I don’t expect you to remember, you don’t owe anyone anything, me included.) I’m aware how invisible I am, but wanted to tell you that you have no idea how much your words and your ability to retain your kindness while still putting yourself out there in such vulnerable ways (like your book) means to those of us like me. I related to your story more than I could have thought possible.
I have come to notice a pattern in the stories you’ve chosen for your podcast, which I listen to every week. It’s about relationships, celebrating humanity, providing a respite from the ever growing horrors of the world. If that’s all we can do right now, it’s enough.
Wil- I’m so glad you got to meet Etik and Larry and let know what they meant to you. I admire you so much for overcoming the abuse and pain of your childhood, and now seem radiantly happy with your wife, kids and active life. If you can ever make it to SummerCon at the Washington State Fsir Grounds in Puyallup, Washington (This year its June 29th- 21st, I would go to it just to see you. I have a funny story that involves you and I and the monorail in Las Vegas many years ago. I promise, it’s a totally innocent tale, but a memory I’ll always cherish. I wish you peace, happiness and love now and in the future.
Carolyn
I absolutely LOVE this, for both 9 & 53 year old Wil!! What a FANTASTIC picture, opportunity for you, AND a hug from Erik Estrada!!🤩👏❤️❤️❤️
And now you know how so many of us feel when we get to say hi to you and your compatriots. I credit TNG with saving my life in middle school – I was horribly bullied and blamed for it by all. But on the Enterprise, I’d be safe and respected by my friends (you guys). Happy tears for you here.
Will, I 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘁 wait to meet you and the rest of the Stand By Me gang in a few weeks. My son (21 years old) and I will be attending the VIP event and movie screening in Maryland. Stand By Me one of our favorite movies. Question – is there 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝘄𝗮𝘆 to get an autographed 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿? I know the VIP event includes an autographed tour poster but I would love to suprise my son with a movie poster. I could even bring one for you to sign. He decided he wants to collect posters of his favorite movies and this could be the first one. Hope it works out. We are big fans! – Erin T
That’s a great story! Kind of how I will feel in a few weeks when I meet you (and the Stand By Me gang) at the screening in Maryland. I am bringing my 21 year old son and both if us are huge fans of the movie. We splurged on the VIP package so we could get a photo with you. Question: Do you think there is any way to get you three to sign a movie poster for my son? It would be for his birthday. He wants to collect posters of his favorite movies and how cool would it be to have it autographed! I can buy one and bring it too.Just tell me what to do. I know we get an autographed tour poster but a movie poster would be such a bonus! Cannot wait to meet you!
Oh My! How wonderful 💓
Hey thanks for coming to Pensacola and Pensacon! Also, thanks for checking out my little magic trick. You looked like you were about to head out, so I didn’t want to take too much of your time. Thanks, Jason
I so wish I got to meet you when you were here in Pensacola but the stars didn’t line up because your line stayed busy, hopefully you will grace us again. Glad you had a memorable experience.
Oh Wil, so happy for you!