Rick_In_SF_Glen_Park — 11 years ago(October 28, 2014 11:20 AM)

After watching the series on KCET Los Angeles, then reading the enormous and unwarranted criticism of the family in the press, seeing them on the cover of "Newsweek", as well as watching a Dick Cavett show devoted entirely to them, I just had to meet them, and since their address was given in the first episode of the series, I took a ride up to Santa Barbara and knocked on their door. (Actually, I had already spoken with Delilah by phone a few days before whilst she was doing a local PBS pledge night and I pledged $15 just to be able to talk with her. She said, "Come on up" when I told her that I'd really like to meet her.)
So I took a neighbor girl with me, and drove up one weeknight to 35 Woodale Lane.
A nice lady "Ruth" (she told us she was a family friend) answered the door and after telling her about my earlier conversation with Delilah, let us in and gave us a house tour. (People were so trusting back then. It was a more innocent time.) Ruth told us that Grant and Bill had moved out permanently, that Pat was in Los Angeles doing a local TV interview and that she was writing a book, and that the rest of the kids were on State Street in band practice. Ruth showed us a pile of fan mail that she was helping Pat answer. (The series had only finished airing a month before, but was being rerun in the afternoons on KCET, while constantly being preempted by the Watergate hearings. Needless to say, there was still a lot of fan mail coming in).
We were disappointed not to meet anyone, but soon enough the rest of the kids (Lance, Delilah, Michele and Kevin) came barrelling through the garage/band room's back door along with two other "fans" that had been watching them practice downtown.
I recorded the whole thing on audio tape, and am so embarrassed for myself now when I listen to it, as I was a complete fool to think that these people appreciated me being there, intruding on their lives. But it was so fantastic at the time, Lance was going through his photo albums with other two (intruding) "fans," and Delilah was telling me about how everyone thinks her mother is "so great."
Shortly afterwards, Pat (mom) arrived through the back door, said she knew something was up with "all of the cars parked outside," but was completely gracious, taking Delilah's place next to me at the kitchen table, and commenting on Lance's wild photos. At some point, she offers us cake. What a great mom!
After about 90 minutes, we realize that we have worn out our welcome and that it's getting late and we have a long drive ahead. Also, they seem to be busy moving out, as Pat tells Lance what a good job he did packing up the entry hall closet. Michele and Kevin say very little. Mom advises us: "Don't fall asleep on the way home." and Lance says, "Only give my love to the ones who will accept it." in response to something I mumbled.
Needless to say, I was in heaven and to this day, remember those moments with them as one of the high points of my youth. While embarrassed by my actions and words on that audio tape, I'm still glad that I got to meet them.
Lance and Pat were my heros. I was so sorry to learn of his illness and death, but I so admired his courage to come out at a time when no one was doing that. Pat and the kids were also good to Lance, and so I admired them for that, as I knew that I was also gay, and they made me feel all right about telling my parents about it 3 years later.
Wow, I've never told this story to strangers before. Thanks for reading if you got this far.