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Dear Lynn and staff:

My husband just bought me the book, "You're my Hero North Bay". I haven't had time yet to read all the stories, but as soon as I saw Lynn's picture on the cover, I just had to read that story first. Four pages written by Lynn's staff about what a hero Lynn is - it was absolutely wonderful! The story described only a few of the memorable story lines Lynn has created that really have changed people's perceptions of others - like Lawrence's coming out, Shannon's special needs, and aboriginal issues. Only someone who believes wholeheartedly in "cultural diversity, social responsibility and global acceptance" can pull us completely into this fictional world and make us stand up and cheer for these lifelike characters. Lynn, you're my hero, too!

Judy B, Corbeil (almost across the street from Lynn's house)

I have been an avid reader of For Better or For Worse since I was able to read (four years old) and I profess I feel disappointed in the recent outcomes. First and foremost, I find Michael and Deanna's lives to be dull and repetitious. Their younger years were fruitful, but now...it's become lifeless. Little Merideth has spunk, but Robin whimpers and whines, and their antics are nowhere near as charming as Liz and Mike's early years. Furthermore, to turn the "Mr. (W)Right" that was set up from two years ago into a cheat is a disgrace. It's unrealistic to assume everyone is truely "meant for the high school sweetheart". Also, I believe it is wrong to say it's a "biracial" relationship with Liz and Paul. I am half Cherokee (Native American) and half Irish/Scotch. My parents have been in wedded bliss for 34 years, and I am married to a 'Caucasian' man. There is not so much of a 'racial clash' as some people want to think! Heaven forbid April be trapped the rest of her life with self-centered Gerald. Lynn, you've written so many marvelous, real-to-life stories that have held tender to me, why are you letting it go now?

Rae, Tulsa OK

The thing I noticed most about the new strips versus old strips is that the old strips used to be so much more about family and were so much more realistic.

I wish Michael had to struggle more to pay his mortgage, and that Deanna sometimes had to work late and got tired of coming home to have to do everything. Or I wish they would get into a routine of Michael doing the housework and taking care of the kids while Deanna is the breadwinner. That could be so much fun to switch up the traditional gender roles!

But please don't think I'm trying to "butt-in" on how you write your strip. You know the characters better than anyone.

It just would be fun for everyone to mix things up a little bit, more like a modern 21st century family.

By the way, my neighbor, a doctor, goes out to work while her husband is a full-time dad and a part time freelance writer, so the strip would be echoing real life, once again.

Jenna, Ohio

Lynn, I know you're slowing down and doing fewer new strips. I hope that you'll continue to show us some of what Elizabeth is going through, though. You have no idea how much watching her cope with a single dad and his child mean to stepmoms like I and a number of my friends.

Thanks...

Teri W, Waterloo ON

Ah yes, I knew it was coming.
Jealosy by Anthony's daughter regarding Elizabeth.
I went through this 30 years
ago, and must admit it helped me avoid another bad marriage. But am hopeful Anthony and Elizabeth can be patient. My patience brought out daughter's approval for the right one, and I have never looked back.

Stewart R, Lyndeborough, NH

Just wanted to say thank you for the depiction of Francie's jealousy of Elizabeth! I think it is great that you're portraying some of the realities that Anthony and Liz will face if they actually continue their relationship. I'm still a fan of Liz being found by someone else who will love her and cherish her... but if you plan on Anthony and Liz making it, I like that you're heading down the road of realism w/ them! Thank you so much! I look forward to seeing how Liz and Anthony handle it in the future!

Lynn, NH

For Liz -

My now-husband's son was three years old when we met and I would babysit sometimes when his dad worked evenings. I cannot recall without smiling the tragic, gulping trump-card he would finally use to protest the injustice of being told it was bedtime...

"But why? Claire, I was here before you were, you know!"

Good luck!

Claire P, Melbourne Australia

Hello Lynn: Firstly, I love your "For Better or For Worse", and have followed it for years. So many of the daily instances, tears and joys, all of the events and challenges faced by the "Pattersons" my family could relate to. Often a seemly controversial item would come up, and I read you came under fire for being brave to bring it up, but no criticism came from me, because every situation you touched was part of our lives too. Secondly, your "For Better or For Worse" was the very first thing I would look for when the paper came to our door, then I would look at Front Page, etc., afterwards. That is how much I valued your "Patterson Family". Our family could relate to so much of the "Patterson" life experiences. No matter what direction you choose for the Pattersons, we'll be following them along the way. I have never, at any time, written to a creator of any article, but your "For Better or for Worse" is so real and outstanding, I had to let you know how much our family loved your Patterson family. Thank you so much for being, and for continuing to be part of our lives. Rhona.

P.S. I am looking foward to the coming events concerning Iris and Jim, Elizabeth and Anthony, and of course, April. Our daughter, Shawn, had gone through a lot of what Elizabeth and April have experienced - and following their lives brought back some memories.

Thank you again.

Rhona, Winnipeg MN

My first memory of your books was in 1984. I was 9 years old and was rather indignant that the librian wouldn't let me take out your books without my mothers permission because they were in the adult section... Long story short, mom said yes, and I've been hooked ever since.

R P, from multiple places around Canada

Dear Lynn,

Thank you so much for coming to the Lynn Valley Center in in North Vancouver on Dec. 1st, 2007. I had sent "my elf" and a note on pink cards. Thank you so much for signing the three books. It means so much! I really wish I could have met you myself. All the best and Merry Christmas.

Yours,

Karen, Vancouver BC

My childhood wasn't the happiest, so when I was a young my favorite TV shows were Ozzie & Harriet, The Danny Thomas Show, and Father Knows Best; I guess was searching for a normal home life.
I am so happy I again found a great, honest, and upright real family that is not dysfunctional, with real feelings.

John S, New Orleans

Your "comic" strip for Sunday, December 2 was definately not funny to the thousands of people that suffer from eating disorders. Unless you are going to address this topic on an ongoing basis and somehow try to make this potentially life-threatening illness somehow funny, I suggest you refrain from insensitive and ignorant negative portrayal in your strip. What was the intent of the strip? To try to show the people that struggle with this how silly they look? Well it didn't work.

William W, Minnesota

Lynn, I'm a big fan of your work and I love how your strip deals with both serious and humorous situations that we can all relate to. I must confess, though, that I felt saddened by Sunday's strip. Dieting and body image issues are something every woman can relate to. But there are funny parts of that and serious parts of that.

As a society, we are not so far removed from the "Gone With the Wind" era when women would eat before a dinner party so they could pick at their food like delicate birds in public. There's still a lot of pressure to eat the tiniest portions and look the most virtuous -- and if you want to indulge, well, you'd better do it in private, or you'll be judged a glutton and made to feel ashamed!

This isn't a humorous situation -- it's an unfortunate one. I don't know anybody who looks back with a chuckle on times like these. And for a lot of women (and men), it's a genuinely devastating event, as they beat themselves up for being weak-willed and worthless. It can also lead to a full-blown eating disorder.

I continue to be a huge fan and am sure this was just an aberration in your usually perceptive writing and art. Thank you for printing my letter (if you do) to let your other readers know that if this brought up painful memories or just didn't seem funny, they're not alone.

Ellie, Tennessee

I had emergency brain surgery last winter and was out of commission for many months. One day I spent a long time at my computer rereading all the comics in the "Archive". I felt like I was getting to know the Pattersons all over again. FBOFW's Strip Fix is my home page so that I never miss my morning fix before I head off to teach high school.

It was a real treat to actually meet Lynn in person today at a book signing in North Vancouver. Although I got there at the end of her time and she seemed fatigued, she was still so wonderful to talk with (even just briefly). It's a long way from Corbeil to here and I want to say I was just thrilled she was here. I know Lynn grew up not far from where I met her today, but I just wanted to say thanks for coming out to see us and making my day.

Jan M, North Vancouver BC

I find it sad in that Mike Patterson will apparently be the one who everyone will admire with the book. That is, if the book is successful, he will become well known and remembered. At what cost? On the other hand, his poor wife seems to always be stuck with all the work. Sure it is great that she raises the kids, fixes the dinner for Mike, does the housework, deals with the frustrations of looking after the kids. But she will get minimal glory. Yes, perhaps her two kids will appreciate her, but it will be Mike with the thousands of fans and the legacy because he had a wife who gave him the free time to write a bestseller.

I find today men seem increasingly entitled to have it all: they want a wife to do all the housework, look after the kids, or do the bulk of that work, look beautiful, be supportive, stay looking young, etc. Women put up with so much. Yet, if you are a man looking at the comic strip, you will think - look at what Mike Patterson gets. His wife caters to him, and he can enjoy doing what he wants. You might think that is a stretch - but no - I have had men tell me that they see other women doing most of the housework and taking on most of the childcare responsibilities. Therefore they feel entitled not to have to pull their weight. They see this everywhere - including now in a comic strip.

That being said, I think FBOFW is beautifully drawn, and has enterertained and inspired so many people over the years. The many posts on these "Coffee Talk" show just how popular this strip has been and how much it has meant to people. A lot of the stories are sensitive to family issues. I guess Mike Patterson is just the average kind of guy one sees out there so perhaps that is what is being represented. I just worry that to many men think that they can let their wives shoulder most of the household responsibilities. Look at his dad - out playing with his train set, while Elly is washing the dogs and running around looking stressed.

Li-Ann, Toronto ON

Just because we don't see Mike playing with his children on a daily basis, doesn't mean that it doesn't happen. Remember we are only seeing snapshots of the day of the week. Mike did work a full time job in the city when he was working on his first book. Both of his children would be in daycare or preschool anyway, if he worked outside of the house. He's been there, done that. I don't believe that others would turn down the opportunities that have been offered to Mike and Deanna, themselves. As a working Mom myself, going to work everyday sometimes kept my sanity around my own kids, and I love them to death! In any situation, working or not, someone is always going to have their own point of view. Amazing what strong feelings your characters conjure up in readers. ;o) Many, many thanks!!!

Carolyn Lee, Mankato, MN