My Story -                    

     The movie, True Grit, was filmed in Ridgway, Colorado. To honor 100 years of John Wayne, Ridgway held it's first annual True Grit Days festival September 8th and 9th 2007. When I found out Johnny Crawford would be there, I had to go!

     It's a beautiful area near the San Juan mountains with a small town feel. The festival was held in the town park. The weather couldn't have been more perfect with the bright sunshine and gentle breeze. There were people dressed in period outfits and John Wayne look alikes too. I sat at a picnic table about 50 feet or so from where Johnny Crawford and Kim Darby sat signing autographs. It was so relaxing, listening to the live music, chatting with others at the table and watching Johnny interact with the people in line. Angie Dickenson would be out to sign autographs later. I kept thinking I'd get in line when it died down some. It never did.

     I was so impressed with how personable he was. He took the time to answer questions and be genuinely friendly with everyone. At one point he came around the table and squatted down to have his picture taken with a fan's two dogs she had brought with her. He hugged one up in each arm. I thought that was so sweet of him. However, all this extra time he was willing to take with each person caused the line to move very slowly. He and Kim had been scheduled for 1 1/2 hours for the first session. They had gone over by 15 minutes and there was still quite a line left. The security guards finally had to just cut if off and let Johnny and Kim take a break so Angie could come out. I was beginning to worry I had missed my chance.

     I had come to the park just a little over dressed, in my dress slacks, heels and knit top. Everyone was very casual in their shorts or jeans. Even Johnny was in jeans and a simple t-shirt. I decided to rush back to my hotel and dress down. I changed into jeans and tennis shoes, but kept the knit top. All the way back I kept thinking, "Please Lord! Please just let me make it through this last line. Please give me just 30 seconds. I've come so far! Please let me get through the line."

     Angie Dickenson was still signing autographs when I arrived. I went straight to the end of the existing line, which wasn't very long at this point. It was time for Angie to be finishing up any minute and I was confident I would easily make it to the front within the hour that Johnny and Kim would be spending in the second session. After the celebrities changed places, I noticed the line seemed to be moving faster and I was getting very close to the table. Before I reached it, a security guard asked what I wanted autographed and I showed him my booklet. He took it and gave it to Kim tosign and then handed it back. I wasn't even in front of her yet. I could tell the security people were trying to rush things this time. Before, they didn't appear to have taken an active part in the process. I was close enough now to overhear Johnny ask another security person what time this session was supposed to go to. I believe the guard told him 5:00. Johnny asked, "Is there a reason we have to stop then?" The guard told him that was what they were scheduled for. I could tell Johnny was concerned about anyone being left out this time. What a wonderful person.

     It was finally my turn! I handed Johnny the booklet that Kim had signed and he signed it with a fine tipped marker they were using. Then I handed him my 27" by 41" theater poster that was folded to the spot I wanted him to autograph. He asked, "What's this?" I told him it was my Broncho Billy poster. He wanted to see it so we unfolded the large poster. I wouldn't have missed that expression for anything. His face lit up when he saw it. "Wow!" he said, "Look Kim!" She looked over at the poster but you could tell it didn't mean the same to her. "This is rare!" Johnny said. I agreed and told him I snatched it up when I saw it. I had been prizing it ever since I bought it off eBay.

"I brought it all the way from Georgia."

"From Georgia?!" Johnny seemed impressed. He was really making my day. "Where do you want me to sign?" I showed him the area and asked if he would use the sharpie I brought. It had a fatter tip and I thought it would look better. I figured they'd be using ink pens so I came prepared. After all, this poster was very special to me.

     He asked my name. It's unusual so after I pronounced it I slowly spelled it - G I N I A. He repeated the letters back to make sure he had them right and then said, "Interesting name." I was so thrilled to be talking to him and showing him my poster. Mostly I was very happy to see how pleased he was that I brought it. It probably sparked a lot of memories. I saw him write To Ginia - then he paused like he was thinking. I said, "You can just sign your name. That would be great." He proceeded to write much more. I couldn't read it because it was upside down to me, but this was far more than I expected. I wondered what it could possibly say. With a huge smile I thanked him and started to fold the poster with the freshly written area to the outside. I didn't want the ink to smear. He quickly reached out for the poster and said, "No, that folds to the inside!" He wanted to make sure it didn't get messed upwith the creases done wrong. Johnny started folding folding the poster very carefully. It was a little difficult because of the size, and I was worried about it getting messed up too. I couldn't help but smile at all the effort he was taking to protect it. Now that I think about it, I guess he feels it is a part of himself.

     With the task of folding the poster over, I reached out to pick up my sharpie from the table. he obviously thought I was reaching to shake his hand so he reached out and shook mine. I giggled and said, "no, I was reaching for my pen. This one is yours, but you can keep this for a souvenir if you want." He gave a kind of bewildered expression. What was I saying? I laughed and made a motion that I was just kidding. I was nervous and my adrenaline was running sky high. I kept thanking him as I carried my treasure away from the table. I hope whenever he thinks back on my offer he chuckles to himself.

     Finding a vacant spot in the shade, I carefully unfolded the poster on the grass to see what he had written. It read:         

To Ginia -

Hold on to your dreams!

Johnny Crawford '07        

My heart was about to burst. He had no idea of the things that had happened recently in my life; how I had lost my mother at the end of July; how life was beginning to take new paths; how I was now reaching toward dreams that before I wouldn't have thought possible. I had to fight back the tears.

     He has no idea how this simple gesture has touched me. He couldn't have written anything more perfect. It's a wind beneath my wings. From each person I tell about Johnny's response to my Broncho Billy poster, I'm told I made his day. If that is true, I'm so thankful that I did, but it can't compare to how he made mine!

                      More about me:  http://www.myspace.com/giniadreambeliever