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I really like your new format. It's refreshing and entertaining to yet again enjoy the "same stories", but in another point of view. What a treat to be able to relive all this wonderful family story again. I never could get enough of it, and now, I have the feeling that I'm getting a super special "down memory lane" surprise gift and I don't even have to budge a muscle. Again, Lynn is doing colossal work and I'm certainly enjoying it very much. Perhaps there's not that urgency to know what each day's strip brings as we sort of know the story, but it's a relaxing new way to enjoy this fabulous trip all over again. And Lynn told us she wouldn't leave us pending, so I'm not worried. She's probably going to find an original and interesting way to insert the finality of pending stories, being the fantastic writer she is. Thanks for everything, Lynn.

Diane G, Valcartier Military Base

Good morning Lynn,

For me, your comic strip has been a daily, "must read", for many years. Actually, my sister received your first book, "David, we're pregnant", as a gift when she became pregnant with her first child (who, by the way, was named Michael!). That was my first introduction to your humour. Then of course, later came For Better or For Worse. I have been a huge fan all along. I cried when Ellie's mom died. And again, when Farley saved April from the river. You have wound your stories through our hearts over the years, and I thank you for sharing with us. Unfortunately, I've never had the opportunity to say thanks in person. My sister has though! She used to work in a shoe store in the North Bay Mall, and you would often go in to buy shoes for your "real" kids. You were kind enough to stop, and sign her FBorFW books that she has collected through the years.

As for the new era that began this week, I think it's a wonderful way of bringing it all around. We all love to look back, and reminisce over special moments. And you are gently bringing us to a final stage. I wish you well in your retirement, it's what we are all working for, right? That moment when we can just kick back!
:)

Nancy L, Ottawa, Ontario

Lyn
I, like everyone, am grieving for the fading of a dear friend Whatever you say you are doing,we get it,but we don't like it!!! I have lived with you since 1979. Our kids have grown up with you. I did not have my third, but so so wanted her, April feels like mine, and then I inherited someone elses April through marriage. Your cartoon has helped us connect....however possum, I am writing this cos I lerv what happpened tonight ozzie time to me...

Being in Australia- we get a heads up cos we get the cartoons earlier than anyone except New Zealnd.
This is a message sent at 9:49 pm on a Friday evening. ozzie time - so I am in front of the pack!!
I saw tonight something in Peter/Michael's story that made me cry... I saw Elly in her true cartoon drawing of the moment/time. It was Elly, as I remembered her when we were both young confused women. It was Elly who was a simple cartoon without the three dimensional build up,colour, cultural layers.. it was the kid I saw when I was a kid trying to deal with the laundry, the keepin up with the joneses, the exhaustion...etc.
I saw me and us - all us girls/women in our early 20's. I am so glad Elly that you brought back the picture of us as kids. and made me at least aware of how we tried to be adults and deal with adult expectations and responsibilities.. and we had no clue...

thanks to you for the cartoon that told us to understand that it was ok to not understand and that it was ok to stuff it up... as long as we tried to fix it up and that we loved and were loved

sorry for the long winded thingie
but thank you for the reminder pix of me and Ellie

Carol, Melbourne Victoria Australia

I'm sad that things will be changing, but I am really enjoying looking back into Elly and John's family history. We didn't have FBOFW in our newspapers during the early years.

I hope we get to see some happy news with Elizabeth and Anthony before things change!!

Elizabeth, Rhode Island

*sigh*... my heart is heavy at the thought of even more changes. For so long I have been using this website to catch up on 'things' with the Patterson family and loved to read their monthly letters.

Now I just returned from there, with the knowledge that there will be no more letters.. no more 'personal' touching from Elly, Elizabeth, April and all the others.

Change is good and bad - the bad part is knowing we have to accept it and do with grace. The characters in this time- tested strip have filled our lives with grace and dignity.

A small undignified part of me wanted to get on my knees and beg Lynn to keep some parts of the 'old' ways. And yet - I know you need a change too in your life and I DO wish the very best for you!

It still does not make this any easier. It's like seeing an old friend pack up and move far away, not knowing if you will see him/her again.

But.. one can hope! And with that spark of hope, I will continue to look for the Patterson family when I can.

Thank you Lynn

RFW, Arkansas

I have followed with admiration and some sadness the story of Jim's stroke. Some elements of the story I recognize from my mother's stroke 8 months before she died in 2001. I have followed your strip for years after my mother (who read it avidly every day until her stroke stopped her reading anything) first brought it to my attention. No other comic strip has made me laugh and cry at the same time. Lynn, you have a wonderful gift. Thank you for sharing it with us.

Jenny B, Australia

To whom it may concern:

I've delayed "spilling my beans" and thoughts on the hybrid because of mixed emotions about the change.

Lynn is certainly entitled to a retirement or whatever she feels she needs to do next in her life, and if this hybrid enables that, good for her.

On the other hand, the reality of the change didn't set in until I saw the letters would be ending too. I loved those because it gave a chance to catch up on what other family members were doing if the focus wasn't on them for that month.

Then I saw the expanded biographies and was really excited. You see, I've only been able to read FBOFW since moving to an area where the newspaper carried it. This is pre-WWW, after all. Although it's been eight years of reading the strip daily, I feel like I've been missing out on things like Lawrence's coming out, Farley's death, etc.

Thanks again, and please send my best wishes to Lynn for wherever life's path takes her next.

Sincerely,

Jennifer D, Brooklyn Park, MD.

While I loved the continuing story line and the character letters, I also like the new format. I think it's a great way to "cut back" without completely stopping Lynn's and our connection to the Pattersons.

I LOVED today's strip in which John and Elly got married and Elly got pregnant. The pictures show that Mike knows some of the story, but probably not all of it. And that's the way it should be. I want my children to know some of my past, but there are details that younger generations will never know or appreciate. The twinkle in John's eye when he looks at Elly is special because it is theirs alone. Glimpsing the Patterson's romance helps me remember the joys in my own courtship and marriage, and for that I thank you!

Cara M, Niles Michigan