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Dear Lynn,

I can relate to your philosophies, love of people and hyper-creative energy. You have encouraged and challenged me to be more fearless in expressing my own thoughts via writing and drawing. My two boys grew up along with Michael, Liz and April and we mirrored many of the antics in our family. Through you and the strip I learned to find the funny moments in the stresses of life. When my mom died, you showed me how to handle the grief, and still be a blessing to others through the pain.

I know that you need to challenge yourself with other things outside of the strip and I respect that. I will cry though, when the strip starts to ease into retirement as I own every book that you have drawn. I have reread those books so often that the covers are worn and tattered. Many surgeries have had me in bed and so I would have a stack of my FBOFW books on my bed to read! What a gtreat way to rest and get better laughing! My husband will tell you that these books are such a treasure to me.

I wish that I could have a coffee and just catch up with you in person one of these days because you and I think much alike! God bless, Lynn.

Linda S, Director of Religious Education K-8

Dear Lynn-I have been reading fbofw for what seems like forever, through college, raising my family and now, at 60 living my dream in a cabin in the woods. I feel like I know all the characters personally and identify with many of the things that they go through. I look forward to every morning around 5:30 espresso in hand, opening my computer to find out what has happened with the Patterson clan. I hate to think of a time when I won't be able to find out what happened to Elizabeth, Michael, or April, my own children are similar in age to the older Patterson children.
Thank you so much for all your creativity and insight into the lives of a family coming of age.

Karole C, California

I was thrilled to read about the "re-runs". Although its sad that we won't be seeing the continuing storylines much longer, it will be great to experience the old strips again, especially with occasional "tweaks". Michael and I about grew up together through the Sunday comics, and it will be a blast to go back and relive those old memories.

Debi E, Springfield IL

Robin and Merrie are NOT brats! All kids act like that from time to time. I'm sorry, but if I came across a kid that was calm and perfect all the time I'd worry that the parent was abusing the kid in some way to ensure good behaviour.

I love the fact that Mike and Dee can do something that a lot of us would have liked to do, raise their kids in the home they grew up in. There is a feeling of security in going back to our childhod home, and Mike gets to share some very real history with the kids this way.

It's great that Liz and Anthony are working on were they are with their relationship. And Francois seems to be coming around to Liz more, realizing that Liz is "there" for her when she needs her, and in the background when she doesn't.

Can you build more on April and Shannon? I'd love to see them going to college together adn possibly rooming together in the dorms. It would be so nice to see that friendship really grow past high school. As for April's love life, well she's still young, and I'll bet she meets the guy of her dreams in college anyway.

Paula T, Hamilton ON

Dear Lynn,
I remember the first time I read you strip on my grandmother's fridge. She would always post her favorite strip from the week, carefully cut out, under the cow magnet from Jackson Hole. At first I just laughed at her laughter as she squealed "Ain't that a kick!" Then I started laughing at the jokes with her. Now, nearly two decades later, I laugh at them on my own. My grandmother doesn't remember me, and I rarely see her now because I live several states away, attending grad school. Still, I read your strip online every day and it reminds me of her each time I laugh. Watching the characters grow and deal with the same things I do has somehow kept me connected to my own family. Thank you for your time, your talent, and your unfailing understanding of the great, bittersweet laugh that is the human experience.
Sincerely,

K, Sacramento

I remember Reading about the death of Farly when I was in my teens. I thought how tragic that a dog would actually lay down its life for its master. Well I can honestly say, I know how they felt. I had 2 dogs, one of them was a long haired chuichuia named Suzie, the other is a chuiachia poodle mix named Otis.

Sadly, Saturday night approximately around 11:30 pm, one of them sacrificed their lives to save me, and the other was injured. What had happened, is we are moving into a new house, so I had taken both of them to the new house to get adjusted to it. Upon arriving, I had taken them both outside to the backyard to do their business. Within a few moments, the next door neighbors wolf hybrid dog had jumped the fence. He was growling and coming at me. Little Suzie ran across the yard and stood in front of me growling and barking as well. The wolf hybrid attacked and Suzie had intercepted taking on the wounds that where meant for me. She screamed as she fought off the bigger dog. I had tried to grab her away from the wolf and was bit in the process. Otis, had jumped in at this point trying To get the dog off of her. He was picked up by his neck, and swung around like a rag doll while being dragged across the street. The neighbors were trying To get their dog off of Suzie but it was too late. She was wounded severely. Otis had a few puncture wounds and a bit of road rash but was going to be ok. When we rushed Suzie to the vet, she was not walking and was still bleeding. Upon examination, it was determined that she had been punctured through the abdomen and had internal injuries, as well as the muscle ripped off her hind leg. She was not walking.. With closer inspection, we also found a quarter size wound on her back side that was so deep that we could see her spine. She was heavily medicated with morphine, but was still in pain. It was then decided that we needed to put her down because her injuries were severe enough that she wouldn't have survived the surgeries.

With a heavy heart and lots of tears, We write this to give thanks to a brave little dog that laid down her life to save one of her family members. Suzie was a special little dog. She was brilliant, intelligent and lovable. She knew how to get around the rules of the house, and tried to bend then continuously.

Whether it be commando crawling across the living room floor to sneak chinese food, or hop up on the table when no one was looking to try bits of Thanksgiving dinner. She was always there to give a warm hug or a gentle kiss across the nose. Suzie would wait for us to get home with greetings of smiling that sometimes look like a half cocked seizure and quick flicks of her tail to tell us she was glad we were home. The ever watchful guard dog that would lounge on top of the back of the couch and look out to the street waiting for someone to approach the door, just so she could bark. We will definitely miss the little hide and sneak she used to play with me as I would hide in a room when i got home, and hubby would let her out of our room to go outside.

Before she would go outside, she made sure she found me somewhere in the house before she would even approach the door. She knew when we needed the little extra comfort, she would tuck her head under your chin and place her little paws on your shoulders as she was hugging you. Then when it was time to move, she would give a little lick and nip on the end of your nose, and jump down to try to get us to play. Otis and Suzie where very close. At night, as Otis laid down on his blankets, Suzie would wait and finally place her head along his back and go to sleep. They would run across the yard back and forth chasing each other. There will be many nights that we will miss the thud of Suzie throwing herself against one of us when she wanted to sleep on the bed. Some of those same nights my husband or myself would wake up freezing and on the edge of the bed because she had stretched out pushing us towards the edges of the bed with her claws, then raking all the covers to the center of the bed laying in the middle of it.

We are going to miss you little girl. We will always have a place in our hearts that can never be replaced. I know you will always watch over us and Otis. We love you will all our hearts, and you will never know what it means to me that you sacrificed your life for me. I will always be in your debt.

Nicole S, Colorado

Please accept our condolences on the loss of your friend, Nicole.

I've been a fan of the strip for many years, and I have really enjoyed the evolution of the characters over time. Because I already read the original strips, I always feel disappointed when I stay up until the middle of night when the next day's comic is uploaded to the website, only to find a "re-run." There are so many wonderful aspects of this family's story to tell. For this reason, I would really like to see *** A LOT LESS *** of Meredith and Robin. They are annoying characters who don't contribute to the storyline. Although I am a parent myself, I have a strong negative reaction every time I see a strip involving these kids, especially Robin. Unlike other readers' comments, I don't have any gripes about Michael or Deanna or their parenting style; I just don't like their children and am not the slightest bit interested in this subplot. The other chapters like Iris & Jim, Liz's relationship with Anthony's family, and especially April's future aspirations!
are far more engaging and definitely worth pulling all-nighters to wait up for the next episode to be posted. Thanks for keeping me hooked all these years, Lynn!

Your loyal and deeply appreciative fan,

Natalie M, Pineville LA

I was sorting through one of my bookshelves one day and found "MARY ELLEN'S BEST OF HELPFUL KITCHEN HINTS" , Mary Ellen Pinkham, and illustrator - Lynn Johnston. This may have been the beginning of my long fanship with Lynn's work, especially FBoFW

JK, Walkerton ON

After reading the strip and comments the past month, I am finally ready to weigh in- It seems as though many people in North American society have children not because they really want children but because it is expected of them to have children. The extended Patterson family fits into this category, don't you think? You rarely see moments where the parents are hugging and kissing their children or merely saying I love you...except for April because she was Elly's much wanted later in life child. In my circles, we view each additional child as another blessing. I do not know a single family that does not want to have at least 8 or 10 children. Perhaps, if the Pattersons thought along these lines you would see less teasing and sibling rivalry and more love and Elly actually wanting to take care of her elderly father.

Bri G, Ohio

A thought. Anthony's friend Julia, who made such a brief but important appearance at Shawna-Marie's wedding, seemed to a true friend and in possession of a lot of good sense. I'd enjoy seeing her and Liz get to know each other better.

Alexandra S, Niskayuna, NY