Some kids dream of hitting the winning home run. Gregg dreamed of getting through Little League without having to actually touch the bat. His father was the coach, which made quitting more complicated—because it’s one thing to strike out, but another to let your dad down while doing it. Still, Gregg knew early on that he belonged more in the world of spotlights and scripts than dugouts and scoreboards.

Like so many of us, Gregg carried an “original hurt” from childhood—the kind of moment that lodges itself in your memory and whispers doubts into every friendship and relationship that follows. But what makes his story special is not the hurt, but how he kept showing up for joy anyway. College brought him clarity: a simple newspaper article gave him the language for what he already knew—that he was gay. From there, his life unfolded in unexpected ways, from building community in Tucson and Los Angeles to raising a son with a circle of parents who figured things out as they went.

And then, of course, there’s love. Gregg talks about meeting Steven, the man who would become his husband and co-creator of daily rituals. (Five kisses before bed. Not four. Not six. Exactly five. Non-negotiable.) It’s the small things—cuddle alarms, grocery store trips, quiet moments on the couch—that became the glue of their 25 years together.

Listening to Gregg is like being reminded that life doesn’t have to be grand to be meaningful. It can be messy, funny, and sometimes awkward, but the best parts sneak in through little rituals, trusted friends, and the courage to keep choosing love—even when your brain still plays the old tapes of doubt.

As Gregg puts it, we’re here to experience life—fully, freely, and yes, even joyfully. And maybe that’s the point: you don’t have to hit the home run. You just have to keep stepping up to the plate.

-David

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