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Recently I tried to figure out when I started reading your strip. I know it was at least in my early teens, but I honestly can't remember a time when it wasn't part of my life. I've loved growing up with Michael and Liz, then welcoming April around the same time I had one a little older.

Some of the comments here bothered me, so I wanted to speak to them from my perspective. Ultimately, though, we all need to recognize that you and your team have brought the Patterson's this far and will continue along the storyline you've chosen since you're the only ones who know where you are going with what we're only seeing now.

Michael going back for his laptop didn't surprise me. He's a writer who believes in himself. He saw his work as his ticket to financial security for his family. He dedicated a lot of time to it and knew he couldn't recreate it. I don't see Deanna as a doormat, either. She's a working mother who supports her husband and his work. She was thrilled when Michael quit the magazine! Her work supported them while he was writing and I never saw a strip where she resented it.

Therese was NOT the mothering type, that was plainly obvious. She's a single-minded career woman. To her credit, she gave it a try. Anthony has always carried a torch for Elizabeth, a fact Therese was well aware of. The details of the divorce, however, haven't been shared with us yet. So I don't think speculation is fair to anyone.

Liz needed the time to spread her wings to realize what she wanted. She left home and lived on her own. As much as she loved it, though, she realized her heart was with her family. Paul should have told her about Susan, but he did make it pretty clear he didn't want to leave. To me, the situation was fairly realistic, not ethnic discrimination. Those things happen. Maybe she and Anthony need to give their relationship another try to see if it would work. Maybe they'll discover they make better friends than romantic partners on their own. But they really should find out so they can stop dreaming about "what if" and move past each other. To me, that's realistic.

April needs to be thankful for what she has. She's been very focused on her wants and her needs for a long time. Her room is a little smaller and she wants to stay in her childhood home. John and Elly were thinking about moving and Michael and Deanna were looking for a house when they found this deal. It made sense for them to do it this way. Michael and Deanna needed a bigger house for their growing family. John and Elly didn't need as much room, especially when April will be going to college in another 2 or 3 years. She'd be leaving her "childhood home" anyway. Better that they do it now so it has time to feel like home before she leaves than to wait until she goes and move then. I don't think Eva was out of line at all. She was a good enough friend to try to point out to April that she was only looking from her own perspective and not considering the needs of the other people involved, too. She's not a selfish character, so once she does that I think she'll see!
the experience differently. But with the Gerald trouble and her turmoil over Rebecca, I think it was just more than she could deal with right then.

Also, we need to realize that Lynn is writing a strip; a slice of the "lives" of the Pattersons. If they were real people, there would be a lot of other details surrounding their lives that we wouldn't know. Who says there isn't in the strip? We don't have all the details and maybe some of those lead to many of the decisions we may not agree with.

Some statements I agree with, though, are that I would love to see what happened between Anthony and Therese: how they met, why they married, why they divorced, what Therese is doing now; Lovey and the downstairs neighbors: what's happened to them since the fire? What about Weed & Carleen? How's their relationship going?

These characters are like old friends and are the first spot I go to in my newspaper, if I don't check up on them online first. If I do pick up a newspaper, however, I have to wait until my daughters are done checking up on them. Another generation of fans for you, Lynn, and your team. You should all be very proud of your wonderful work and I'm so glad you're continuing it, in whatever capacity, rather than just ending it and retiring. I know you'll retire eventually, though, but I hope the loose ends are tied up first. Thanks for so many terrific years!

Sharon D, Wisonsin

I wanted to touch on a few reader's comments about Michael's absence from his family when he was writing his book, how horrible he was for doing that, and how selfish he was to be away from his wife and kids.

When the muse strikes for a writer, it is fleeting. You must get the thoughts in your head down before they are gone, and sometimes this can mean sleepless nights and long days in front of a keyboard or notebook. I am sure Lynn is no stranger to muse striking at odd times, she is as much a writer as anyone with these stories and characters that, I'm guessing, are part ofher family, and have a life of her own in her imagination.

I appreciated very much the strips where Michael was struggling to find a way to balance both his young family and his need to write this book. It is NOT easy to shut the door and ignore the demands of your family and life, nor is it easy to deal with the guilt of knowing you are doing so willingly to "write". His inner turmoil at leaving his wife and kids downstairs to go work after a long day at the office, and the funny bits about being a "reclusive writer" made me chuckle and nod in recognition and understanding. Often I have been told that I am wrong for doing just what he did. "When are you going to do something productive?" or "There's lots of other more important things to do..."

It is also not unrealistic, as some readers have pointed out, for Michael to have a full piece submitted and accepted. Most writers submit excerpts, which Michael may well have done (in the background), knowing the publishing industry just a bit from his previous job... and having connections means speedy processing, no?

All in all, I loved that story arc, and I can't wait for Michael to hold a copy of his book in his hands. A great achievement for him, and for his family, for supporting him as he created, and allowed him to do something amazing.

Cheers for now, Lynn and team, and thank you so much. My day is not complete without FBoFW.

Caroline, Perth ON

Dear Lynn
I've been married to a Lynn for 30 years this year and we've been reading your strip almost as long.
The last few years I have been seriously ill but one thing which got me through was waiting patiently for your strip each day. When pain tended to overwhelm me, and despair set in, I reminded myself one reason to keep living was to read what was happening to the Patterson family. This small goal became a major goal at times.
Well, I survived a bit worse for wear. I'll have many more years of enjoying the adventures of your "family" as well as my own.
My deepest thanks.
sincerely

Charles G. , CA

Wow! You get some strrroooonnng opinions in here, don't ya? :)

I got hooked on your strip back when Elli was first pregnant with April, as I was also trying for a baby. When we couldn't get pregnant this last time, April was also a baby I mentally adopted.

But I became a FAN *(as in fanatic!) when April went in the river. Egad - the entire work place was a buzz -APRIL IS IN THE RIVER!! - every morning, I would check with the gals who got the early edition of the paper... then, finally, Farley saved her - with the incredibly sad loss only a bit later.

Nothing could have hooked me harder.

Today, we speak of Liz's love interests (Go Anthony!) and Deanna's mom as though they are real people. Our newest employee didn't realize it was a comic strip ... for weeks.

I am glad we get to keep them, but sad they will no longer age ... perhaps I will do the same, then. Just stick it out at "50". Wouldn't that be nice.

Thank you for so many wonderful years.

Deane C, Chehalis, WA

I have to respond to the one who had the gall to suggest that Lynn was racist because she didn't have Paul marry Elizabeth. As an African-American woman, I fell in love with this little Canadian family almost 30 years ago, and from the beginning I've seen her portray a friendship between Michael and a little brown kid who was the son of her white next-door neighbor. When they left, a Japanese family moved in and befriended the Pattersons. By the time April came along, she would be friends with the Caribbean boy, Duncan and now is close to Eva, a girl of somewhat indeterminate race! The point is, over the years I have gotten a glimpse of urban Canada that I could NEVER have imagined from Oklahoma. I didn't even know there WERE minorities in Canada, especially professional people and not just the "laborers" who were there on a green card. I feel Liz and Paul's relationship suffered because of distance and ultimate incompatibility, not because of race. I also feel that because a mixed marriage, other than the one between Connie and her first husband, is not to have a story is not a reflection of any intolerance on Lynn's part. On the contrary; I think she's helped to illustrate, through Lawrence, Shannon, and others, that the best and most satisfying relationships people have are oftentimes with people one cannot marry. Bravo to Lynn Johnston, one of the bravest people I've ever seen in print!

Iris M. G, Edmond, OK, USA

I am a 31 year old man, not your typical demograhic. However my mother and I started reading together when I was around 12. I was the same age as Michael she she liked to point out the similarities. This strip resonates deep within me. When I was 17 you took on a story line that I relate to in every way. More recently you've introduced Shannon who is very much like my own sister. But aside from that your strip has just brought me joy and stability when the world took it away. When I heard the characters would stop aging I actually grieved. I can't imagine not knowing what is to become of this people I consider to be my friends. However, I could never thank you enough for what you have given millions of people like me.

Jake, Louisville, KY

Lynn, I have been a fan of FBOFW for years. Your skill, wit, and tenderness at dealing with human issues makes your strip without parallel in the comics world. I am so glad that Liz and Anthony got back together - I really feel I could see it coming. Hey, after two divorces and lots of 'Pauls' and 'Warrens' in my life, I married a guy I've known since high school, who is a loving, compassionate 'wimp' and my best friend, also steady, dependable, the works. I vote for the 'Anthony' type any day.
Can't believe the flak you are getting about career women, when your strip is full of them! Yes, old-time family values shine through your strip, and some people seem to think those should not exist in this modern world. But we need them. Folks need to remember that you're the boss, and you've done a great job so far - otherwise they (we) wouldn't be hooked!

Lyric G. E, Buffalo, WY

Elizabeth & Anthony? Oh come on. The rekindled high school sweethearts may go over well with the Oprah crowd but perhaps you could give the rest of us a break? Unless, after their emetic rekindling the flame, Anthony's obsession with Elizabeth takes a turn for the worse (and I'll bet I won't be the only reader who wasn't surprised :)

The sequence w/the 'special ed' student was a little dated. In both my daughters' graduations last year (middle and high school) these kids got standing ovations and the high school graduating class had 1000 kids in it.

Are you going to patent that last frame, deer-in-the-headlights stare that your characters often assume?

What's this I read here that your characters aren't going to age anymore? You think you're writing for the comics page - oh wait.

Why is this comment box so small and w/o a preview?

Lamont C

Thanks Lamont - the comment box was small because we didn't expect people to write so much! I've just made it bigger. A preview window will follow if enough people request it. - Steph, developer

I've read some of the comments regarding the storyline of Liz and Anthony getting back together. I am so glad you decided to let them be together. I am 63.5 years old, been married twice, divorced twice. Been there, done that. If I could be young again, I'd be praying "PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE God send me someone like Anthony who loves me with everything he has to love with, thru thick and thin, good and bad, up and down, someone who works hard, is stable, doesn't chase, drink or drug, and who thinks I am THE most wonderful woman in the world. Please God!" Some have called Anthony spineless. No he isn't and . . . trust me here . . . I know the difference!

Judy