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I'm a Yank currently living in the UK... and I've been reading this strip almost from the beginning.

I never missed reading it, back in the States, in the local paper and when I came here I was delighted to find it on line.

I am truly going to miss watching the Pattersons. They ARE like real people; the comments here are a testament to Lynn's wonderful talent and insight into human nature.

I, for one, am grateful to have had all those years watching the Patterson family live, love, struggle and enjoy life. From the simple pleasure of a child playing in a pile of autumn leaves to the heart-rending subject of the aged and infirm, Lynn has given it all to us in a thoughtful, sensitive manner.

Lynn, thank you. Enjoy your retirement, enjoy your life !

Mish M, Eton-Windsor

Dear Lynn,
First of, I want to tell U thank you for posting my comments.I think that the comic for wed.october 31,2007 the fourth panel baby Elizabeth looks so cute,& on Saterday november 3,o7 Michael looks hansome in the first panel.Also on Tuesday November 13,o7 Michael's teddy-bear is very cute...I really like his teddy-bear it's awsome.
THANK YOU!!

Craig M, Cal

I am a 60 year old retired US Army First Sergeant. I have followed FBorFw for as long as I can remember. During my active duty travels and assignments to areas that did not have it I would have a "trusted" familty member cut and send the strips. You do become involved in the story line. Never would have thought it....

Richard L, Fortuna CA

It occurs to me now and again that the reason Liz doesn't show the affection that people want her to show is that the assault is still affecting how she sees the world. Because of it, she's willing to marry Anthony because it's the safest option. Also, it makes her afraid to feel any strong emotion lest she fall apart. It would be be the best ending if she were to admit that she was afraid to show her very real love for Anthony, warts and all. That way, she could start her life with him without all the baggage from her past. We could also have him admit that he's relieved to hear that because he'd messed up his first marriage by trying to push Therese where she didn't want to go, it drove both of them half crazy and that's one mistake he doesn't want to make again. That would put paid to all the criticism of him.

Anonymous

I would have never guessed what kind of kid was Michael without the older strips. It's really fun & I enjoy it very much. I have been reading strips for a long time but Michael & Elizabeth were both much older when I started.
Thanks for sharing your talent with us Lynn,

Elizabeth R, Ocean Springs MS

Funny, isn't it, how the kids immediately have an urgent need for the bathroom the minute Mom is relaxing in the tub, Daddy's in the shower, or brother or sister is going potty. My favorite bathroom oriented strip is when Lizzie is potty training and Elly is trying to give her privacy, then walks in to find her sitting in the toilet with toilet paper everywhere. Thanks as usual for the slice of life with little ones.

Angela, Pennsylvania

I can relate to today's comic strip. My kids (ages 3 and 6) never have a problem or need anything until the precise moment I get into the bathtub. Then they will stand in the bathroom and play 20 questions: "Mom, are you almost done? Can you help me with my transformer? Why do you shave your legs? Are you using up all of the Mr. Bubble?" Funny and all too true, Lynn. Thank you and I hope you start the strip over from scratch and re-run it for the next 24 years, ala Peanuts. I'd read it all over again.

Penny, Milwaukee

I have been reading and loving the strip for more than 20 years. We recently moved from CA to VA and didn't have a newspaper for a few weeks. I was so worried I would miss something...till I found this website, which I appreciate. And now here's my two cents...PLEASE don't tell me we are in for another week of reruns!Reruns, like overnight visitors and fish, stink after three days!

Kathleen M, Charlottesville VA

There's a big difference between discipline and abuse. Maybe more parents need to learn the difference and then actually discipline their kids. I see way too many self-absorbed, rude, thoughtless, clueless kids who appear to feel that they are entitled to EVERYTHING for nothing because that's how they're raised. They have no respect for authority because they have never been taught that there are boundaries in life and consequences for stepping over those boundaries!

And let me tell you, I've seen the consequences of GUILT parenting...it's a variation of these kids, but now they harbor DEEP resentment toward the parent or parents who used the GUILT technique AND they then have a hard time forming and keeping relationships because they never know when they'll be made to feel guilty for any and all perceived wrongs.

Discipline AND lots of love...that's the best way!

Lisa, Las Vegas

It would be good to see Anthony happy at one of his weddings. He's a good guy and doesn't deserve the put downs from many of your readers. Perhaps a big reason for the 53% divorce rate is the "handsome groom, beautiful bride, unlimited sex and happily ever after" myth. It takes balance and responsibility along with all that! Only Liz and Anthony know what's good for them, but please don't leave us to figure out the ending for ourselves as some novelists do as in "Did they or didn't they?".

Nancy, Ohio

Hello again,
I sent a short disappointed comment a little while ago -- and then let my head wander through what I really wanted to say.
Here goes.
The thing that makes FBFW so incredibly great to me is the fact that the characters progress forward in time. They're not static, bound in a single slice of life for ever. Just like I'm not.
Again, today's strip with Michael and Lawrence was cute.
But it's like looking at family photo albums. It's fun to glance back and share the memories. For a few minutes.
But I wouldn't go back in time to those earlier days. I like being the person I am now with the experiences I've accumulated and am having.
And for better or for worse, that's how I (and many others) relate to these Patterson family. We love the growing of the family. We look eagerly forward to what happens to them next.
Sadly, once the new strips end, I will no longer be a faithful reader.
And that makes me very sad. It feels like knowing someone has a terminal illness and the doctor has admitted there's no more interventions to be done.
I understand the new strips will be back in at some point during these final two months.
I realize that Lynn is trying to achieve something unique and I do cheer her for that.
And I know Charles Schultz and the Peanuts strips were/are a great inspiration.
And I read Peanuts even after his death for a long time.
But the difference between that strip and this one lies in the fact that Peanuts wasn't quite as locked to progessively growing older with the characters. So it was easier to go back in time with them.
I know this is a very long comment and I apologize. But as I said, I feel I am waiting for the demise of something I care about.
At least now I've figured out why I'm feeling the way I do.
And the sad thing is this comes at a time when the website has become so strong. The coffee talk, character background sketches, so much detail -- and I'm not sure how all that will matter in September when the past takes over.
Lynn, I do wish you and your staff all the best. I really do. I would love to think the Sunday sketches would continue to be new and really focus on meaningful bits of the ongoing family interactions. But probably not.
So with sadness, I say thank you.

Mary L, Iowa

I find it strange that Liz is so anxious for Grandpa Jim to see her get married in Grandma Marion's dress, yet she turns around and has Deanna alter the dress.

Tallulah W, Mobile AL

ENOUGH WITH THE RERUNS!!!
ENOUGH WITH THE RERUNS!!!
ENOUGH WITH THE RERUNS!!!

Amber S, Dallas TX

I hope the parents among us can see these old strips as cute.

To me, Michael as a kid is a GREAT ad for remaining child-free.

Susan S, New York