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I have never loved a comic strip anymore then FBorFW. I truly can relate with the happenings of your family. It is really kind of you to share the good, the bad, and the sad.(I didn;t say ugly you never have that). Thank you for making me smile each day, whether it is a new story line or one from the past. Please keep up the good work I look forward to you daily.

Debra D, Dumas Arkansas

Dear Lynn,

I am in awe of what's going on in your comic strip.

Please, though, don't kill another dog [character]. I'm still not over the first one.

Kevin P, St. Louis MO

I have been reading FBOW almost since the beginning. My family is nothing like the Pattersons (darn), we 5 sisters, 1 brother do not really associate with each other if so mostly due to a death and even than most of us do not talk. BUT a lot of the situations in the comic have come so close to my immediate family, my son who is turning 33 and even my estranged family. Not having the gift of writing I can not express how grateful I am for your comics, your family in many ways have become my family, I love my real family even with our problems, I am so happy that I read "whats up with FBOFW", I was beginning to think it was ending-WHEW! THANKS for so many years of truth in a comic.

GOD BLESS

Jeanne, CT

I have often reflected upon the topic of the "coming out the closet" storyline with one of Michael's friends (sorry can't remember the name - Lawrence?) [Yes! Read about his story here. ] many years ago. From what I remember that was a difficult storyline for you to get published as some didn't like the storyline. Thank you for standing true to yourself and all the "truths" you examine in our daily lives. It's awesome. Defintely the only comic strip I continue to follow since my younger years. Rock On my friend!

Jennifer H, Northern California

I've been a fan for so many years - I can hardly remember NOT reading the strip.

I'm not too happy that the strip will no longer "grow" with the characters ... I guess I identify with Elly so much (same general age and family situation), and I was looking forward to continuing to mature together. I'm sorry to hear that in the upcoming year the strip will freeze the family at their current stage.

Leslie, California

I have enjoyed your comic strip since Elly and I were pregnant at the same time, her with April and me with my own daughter. I have enjoyed going through life with the whole family since.

I'd like to weigh in with a vote against the reruns of old strips. Although I agree with some readers that the reruns give some insight into the relationships, I think occasional flashbacks would suffice, not most of the week's strips. I enjoy the present challenges that all the kids are facing, new homes, new loves, new paths taken, etc. I also enjoy the adult challenges for Elly, John, Grandpa Jim and Iris.

If Lynn is looking for a break then I'd rather have the old then nothing at all. But if the long time fans wouldn't mind maybe Lynn could use some of the old material but redraw it with Michael and Deanna (chasing kids, etc...I know my own mom laughs at all of her kids with our children, "What goes around, comes around!!!)

That being said I do appreciate your work. I love that the strip lives up to it's name...I have laughed out loud and shed tears of sorrow. They have been so true to life and have brought much joy and also times of reflection.

I hope we will be reading for a long time to come.

Doreen D, Boston MA

I was concerned that the strips of yesteryear would just appear as re-runs, but they have been presented in an acceptable context, that of reminiscing or as memories triggered from peering through a photo album with the kids. This is realistic because it illustrates how past memories do come to life and appear to take on a form in their recalling. None the less, if possible, and i realize there have been real life issues for Lynn, it would be nice to have the characters continue to age so, as was pointed out, we can see Elizabeth's destiny and April's too. Although, Dagwood and Blondie's family developed and grew, and then stopped, frozen in time, with great success; but i guess that is what i find so appealing in FBoFW, Doonesbury and Dykes to Watch Out For( Gary Trudeau and Allson Bechdel , like Lynn J. wonderfully issustrate the life dramas off a regular cast of believable, likeable, vulnerable and aging characters).

Janet M, Maine

Dear Lynn,
I 'discovered' you about 13 years ago when we lived in Chicago, now my sister and daughter are avid readers too. There is a stack of your comic books next to the PC (I read them when the PC is particularly slow in loading).
I just wanted to say thank you so much for all the fun you've given us, but also for writing "the hard stuff"(like Farley dying) too.
THANK YOU!!!

Bee. N., Sunny England

I look forward every year to your strip around Veteran's Day (Rememberance Day). My father was a WWII vet and like so many who came back and went on with life, there were so few memories shared. This year seeing Grampa Jim's memories of his service struck a real chord with me as I had just discovered my father's photo album from that period. Some people have no idea of all the sacrafices that our men (and now women)in uniform make to help the people in the war zone they are in. Thank you for all of use who never want to forget.

Allie, California