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Just want to tell Lynn how much her strip means to me. Knowing that you are on a count down to end the end, I savour each day s offering. The first thing I do every day is check the strip online, and some days I come back several times. I adore the drawings, the subtle curves and shapes make me feel the weight of a baby, the softness of a cat, the weariness of a middle aged woman. Each frame is a complete and emotionally true picture. Dont know what Ill do when you are gone!

Beverley C, Sambro Head, Nova Scotia

Thanks Beverley - here's a link to some more information on the future of FBorFW. Lynn won't be entirely gone, and neither will the strip.

Thank You very much! FborFW strips are my daily 5-minutes break of funny learning.
Thanks to the Pattersons, my English improves as much as my mood.
Even though the comments of such a remote supporter can not be that impressive, I realy want to express my congratulations: Lynn You're great.

Mariagiovanna C, Messina (Sicily), Italy

Mariagiovanna we love hearing from readers who are overseas! Thanks for writing.

I have felt part of the Patterson clan since Liz was a baby in her crib (with her rag bunny) and Mike was a typical pesty big brother. Mother and I would share laughs and ask, "did you read what happened today?", and I miss that since she passed away 11 years ago.

I am 71 years old now, and am not ashamed to say that I have loved the comics all my life. I learned to read with them. And in all this time it has been this strip that has meant the most to me. In fact, I call it my dessert. I read every bit of the newspaper first, then all the comic strips - and then, finally for "dessert" comes FBOFW. It is the icing on the cake!!

My favorite strip was the day April was born.

Thank you Lynn, for all of your humor and love and real world issues. You have taken brave steps with some edgy material, and have kept it acceptable to print.

Retirement is so good. I hope you enjoy every bit of yours. And I wish you good health to enjoy it.
Thanks for all these years with your "family".

Love you, Joan

PS I hope Anthony has grown up. He really disappointed me when he cried for Liz to wait for him. That spoiled him for me. Hope Liz thinks this over.

Joan G, NJ,FL,and now NC

I go further back than most. I had the David Were Pregnant books before my wife and I were parents and our oldest is 27. I remember our delight when the Detroit Free Press started carrying FBOFW and our family like others grew up with the Patersons. I especially like the letters and only wish if the strips are reflections the letters let us know what is happening with the family. Actually I will probably become a grandfather in the next few years and wish I could get the David Were Pregnant trilogy for my kids.

Bob W

Thanks Bob - you might have some luck on eBay or at your local second-hand bookshop.

Can you stand one more comment about Liz and Anthony?

I'm disappointed in the way the Liz/Anthony relationship has been presented. The re-discovering each other at the wedding was a little too pat and much too sappy. I was never a big fan of Liz getting back with Anthony, but if that was how Lynn wanted it to go, I think it should have been more developed over the past few months; at least since Christmas, and possible even since Liz returned from Mtigwaki.

That said, I do enjoy FBoFW and the website. I do give you credit for posting even the negative comments here. Elly's Coffee talk has quickly become one of my must stops on the internet.

Ginny G, CA

I just had to write again! My darling husband left me The Lives Behind the Lines on my pillow last night, and I stayed up later than I should have reading about Elly & John's beginning. I was laughing me head off as Lynn wrote about being one of those mothers who can't just let the kids eat Fruit Loops for dinner. Thanks so much for letting me know I'm not the only one who feels like the food police will track her down if the kids get into the cookies before breakfast. This happened just Sunday to me, by the way--Baby Elanor is taller than we thought! Thanks again.

Angela, Pennsylvania