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Dear Ms Johnston:

I never, ever write letters like this but I feel like time is running out for me to say this. I just wanted to say thank you for all your years of work and let you know how much your strip has meant to me and mine.

It's a very strange feeling, realizing that this comic strip is about to end.
I know, I know. People will say "it's just a comic strip" but it's been with me my entire life. In fact the very first page of my Baby Book after the hospital photo and lock of hair is a very brown and finger-smudged cut out of the "One cookie" strip.

When I was a kid Mom never cut out Family Circus, no, it was FBorFW that filled in the empty spaces between report cards, Grade A+ papers and our most recent artistic endeavors. I'm about the same "age" as Elizabeth (I'm 28) so we've kind of grown up together. All through middle school and junior high (Elizabeth had Anthony chasing after her, I had a kid called Ken chasing me from Grade 2 until well into our twenties). The bad boyfriends and close calls. The losing of old friends and finding new ones. The loss of grandparents and love/hate relationships with siblings. I went Michael's path though and went into Arts and Media, so even though he's "older" than me I still found strength and a lot of laughs in his starving artist days with Weed (my Weed lives in Seattle now, but she's still my best friend too).

It's very strange but when I think about it .... yeah, there have been a lot of parallels. I guess it goes to show, people are not snowflakes. ; )

Most importantly I wanted to let you know about the strength my family has taken from your work. We grew up in a very religious community and when my adopted-brother was thrown out of his parents house for coming out to them my Mom made him a scrapbook of Lawrence's "coming out" strips and let him move into the basement. If she hadn't he would have ended up on the street or in a Church-Run "Rehabilitation Camp". My father was opposed to it but - again - she used your strips to knock some sense and compassion into him. My brother's real parents took years to come around but Mom was always there for him. Years later when he was running his own clothing store and a success on his own terms he showed me one day over coffee that he had kept the scrapbook. He kept it in his messenger bag at all times (it still goes everywhere with him). He said every time he got beat up at school or his parents hung up on his calls or someone yelled something at him on the street just knowing that they were with him gave him the strength to hold his head up and never compromise on who he was and what he wanted.

I think that's a testament to the quality, realism and heart of FBorFW as much as it is to my mother's compassion and my brother's strength.

And now, after 28 years of waking up and reading the latest strip first thing over breakfast (even if breakfast has devolved from OJ and Sunny Boy into a jumbo coffee and cigarettes) it just feels very weird to know that there will only be 5 more new strips as of today. When you've lived in parallel with something for that long - even if it is imaginary - it's very humbling and saddening (is that a word?) to think that from now on you're going to have to walk the road alone.

So thank you from all of us. Your work has been a morning staple in two generations of my family's homes. It has made the mundane more poignant, the WTF? moments that much funnier, and the hard knocks easier to live with.

I want to wish you the absolute best of health, wealth and adventures in your retirement and just say Thank You.

You made my morning.

Emmy, Winnipeg MN

When my wife and I were married, my favorite Uncle was to sick to make it to the wedding. After our wedding we went to see him in our wedding attire. This really perked him up. I am so glad we did it. He passed away about a month later.
Lynn, thank you for 29 great years. We will miss your present time strips but look forward to reading the new ones.

Tom S, Chattanooga, TN

My great gradnfather was ill and in the hospital a couple of weeks before my mom got married. The plan was for her to stop by in her wedding gown before going to the church. She was his favorite and she would have it no other way. Unfortunately he died a week before, but he insisted that should anything happen to him that she carry on.

Liz is doing what I would have done. Grandpas are precious people.

Nikki, NJ

Right Liz, there is nothing wrong with Liz and Anthony stopping by the hospital on their way to the reception. An explanation from Elly nd John or Mike and Deanna about the situation should be okay with everyone. The reception can start and the brie and groom can arrive a bit later. Once they return to the reception then Elly and John could go visit. However, the entire bridal party with little kids and all shouldn't show up. It would be bit much for a guy who's just had a heart attack.

Marsha, Reno NV

I have read this strip for many years now and have always enjoyed it. The ups and downs of the Patterson's lives are as real as it gets for a comic strip.
I had always wanted Liz and Anthony to get together, and when it finally happened I was incredibly happy. With them finally getting married, it's probably the most enjoyment I've gotten out of any comic strip in awhile. I believe one strip had said their wedding colors were to be teal and lavender (right?) and that made this even sweeter as those were my wedding colors also, something my wife also thought was cool.
Take care, God bless, and keep the adventures coming.

Ray, West Covina, CA

Lynn, I have followed the Patterson's for many years. I just discovered this web site and am delighted with it. I am glad to see Anthony & Elizabeth finally get married. 1. we have the same 1st name and 2. like Elizabeth I went through some diasterous relationships before coming back to my best friend for over 20 years. We have been married 19 years this December. Like many others I am puzzled about Ellie's comments about her father. I think she is on overload because I think a bride's mother always feels like she is supposed to be hostess. But I have faith in Ellie that she will snap out of it and go with Elizabeth & Anthony who are doing the right thing. Of course now would be when she would notice her Grandpa isn't there. Walking down the aisle she would have only had eyes for Anthony. Keep up the great work.

Elizabeth M., Fresno CA

I am on the edge of my seat daily waiting to see what happens next. These people you draw have captured our hearts and attention and I thank you for all the years of enjoyment you have given us.

Kim J, Ontario

Lynn, you really are an artist to evoke emotions from all over the place from the stories you write and pictures you draw. I enjoy reading the positive and negative comments people write about the scenarios in the comic strips. For better or for worse, these situations do happen in the real-world and how people perceive them, and express their personal views is quite an exercise for people to reflect on their own beliefs, values, and morals.

I recently found some DVD's and VHS tapes of the cartoon series and watching them on the big screen, hearing the cahracter's voices and watching their interactions with each other brings these characters more to life.

Your use of real-time to present these real-life, everyday experiences is what allows your comic strip to uniquely stand above all the rest. I love the other comic strips that present real-life dramas and issues though the characters are frozen in time and it works for those comic strips. For Better or For Worse is reflection of the microcosm of a family shared with the entire reading audience.

Tim B, SF Bay Area, CA

It amazes me that a comic strip can make me cry. I really loved everything leading up to the wedding. I was so afraid I would miss it as we were on vacation, and i just found this wonderful web page. I lost my Mother at the same time Elly lost hers. In fact, i still have the strip where Elly asked her to watch over them.thank you so much for all the years of beautiful comic strips. You really are a part of our family. My Mother is the one who got me reading FBorFW. she's gone now, but I still read and when I do, I think of her. Thank you!

Beth M, IL

Lynn, how many times you must have heard: " I have never did this before" but this is true this time, I have never written to anybody but since I found out how your have been going for chages on your life I wanted to tell you as you have been there for me with your FBorFW, I wanted to be there for you. I lived for a long time in US and I discovered your family when Mike and Liz were such a cute funny kids and guess what? I fell in love with such warm real funny comic, I am the kind of person that I rather have a nice comic page that a cup of coffe to start my days.
I came a few years back to my country to have a vist to all my relatives that was 20+ years overdue, guess what I ran into my Elizabeth, an old friend that when we were teen we liked us but it was not posible and now we ran into each other again and now we are a happy married couple. I had followed your beautiful comic and I have been happy and sad and I have LOL at the office and I have cried too, but I know that when I say that your FBorFW is the BEST the VERY BEST "real life comic" I just saying the true. Thanks a lot Lynn for making all my life days so FUN since I have met you @-->-- Best regards,

Mowgli, El Salvador, Central America

Goodness where to begin!

I cannot express to you the love that I have for this 'fictional' family. They have been a part of my life for longer than some of my closest friends. I began reading them after visits to our local Library when my mom would take me and my sister after school while I was in grade one. Even then I always found them to be very funny and I related to Micheal and Elizabeth.

As I grew up it always seemed my major life milestones where mimicked by Elizabeth's. We had boy troubles, graduated from High School and University at the same time. We both have become teachers with jobs working with First Nations peoples. The only event that did not match up it seems is that I beat Elizabeth to the alter :)

My mom and I still share the experience of fbofw through the collections. She usually ends up picking it up and mails it off to me to read. These are collections that sit beside the Calvin and Hobbes and Farside Complete Collections with pride in my library. I look forward to sharing them with my children in the future.

Thank you for all the hard work and effort you have put can continue to put into this family.

Ashley D, Lethbridge AB

When Elly said "Do you have to go NOW?," I took that as "could you wait until later today."

Keep in mind... Liz has no idea of her grandfather's condition. She doesn't know how/why/what, so of course her first instinct would be to rush to the hospital immediately.

We, as readers, know what everyone knows... but, if you were in the story, only Elly, Phil and a few others knew Grandpa Jim was ill.

So, to all the people who say Elly should be kinder, or Liz is spoiled, I think the opposite. Elly wanted Liz to have a wonderful wedding... and Liz wants to share it with her grandfather.

Jim I, Bloomington, IN

I have been reading your comic for a very long time, Elly and I were both pregnant with our 'sunshine surpries' at the same time ... my son Aaron turned 17 in June. It was great to know I wasn't alone all these years with a little one at 40 .... I just turned 56, Elly is a year older than I am.
thank you so much for the support, I really wish she were next door !

Gwyn, Connecticut via New Brunswick

Thanks so much for you wonderful characters and continuing storyline of your outstanding strip. I've been following your work for a long time and have become very attached to the people you portray. You always have a punchline (it's a comic strip, isn't it?) but everything is done with heart and reality. You've taken the ideas of characters aging, as in 'Gasoline Alley', but have taken this further and with real heart. And your art has developed into a distinctive style that is a real treasure to view. Thanks again for everything and everyone!

Greg, Fairfield, California

Thank you, Lynn, for the stories and the lifelike characters. We've enjoyed your strip for many years, since our own "April" was very little. She too had pet rabbits - three are buried under our deck. She's now 25 and teaching special needs students. We've laughed and cried through the years as the events the Patterson's have gone through are so real. You are a talented, observant woman!! I'm glad the strips will continue - it will be fun to read the NEW 're-runs'!!

Karen G, Twin Cities, Minnesota

Lynn, this is for you:
August 24, day before yesterday, I read For Better or Worse before going to church.
I really appreciated and enjoyed it! That is really a great way to state what is supposed to be the reality of marriage! After church I asked the preacher if he took the local paper, he said he didn't. I told him to borrow from his neighbor and read it. It is actually a very good sermon!!! Keep up the good work, and God Bless You.

Bob J, Hoisington, KS

I just saw Wednesday's strip. Liz and Anthony in grandpa's hospital room... and grandpa is awake to see them... LOVE IT!!!

I do wonder where everyone else is though. Please tell me they're waiting outside in the hall for their turn.

Maybe it's just me but doesn't Anthony look much younger than Liz in the last month or so of strips? He kind of reminds me of that boy April is on and off with. Is this foreshadowing on April's future? Will she end up married to someone that is just like Anthony?

And when does school start in their neck of the woods? Where I live, kids went back to school on the 11th of this month. How could Liz's boss possibly be okay with her going on a honeymoon when school has only been in for 2 weeks? Most teachers I know avoided late August for this very reason.

And know that I think about... How could she has such a well put together wedding on such notice? The wedding thus far looks like it took over a year to organize. If a real person were to plan a wedding in 2 months, the event in no way be such a lavish affair mainly because most vendors do their booking well in advance. Even if they had friends and family that decided to gift their services, those people's resources would have to be short handed mainly because of the shortness of Liz and Anthony's engagement.

Toya, FL

Has anyone else noticed that lavender and teal are the wedding colors because they're the colors in the title letters "For Better or for Worse"? (slap on the forehead moment?)

Lillian, Seattle

Bless you, Lynn, you understand what happens at weddings. You realise that brides are so hassled, frantic, trembling, when they walk down that aisle they are lucky to see anybody, let alone everybody. And it is after the ceremony that they and their husbands are so busy signing the official documents that make their marriage legal. THEN they have the chance to see who is there and who is not, and that's exactly what happened with Liz when she saw that her beloved Granpa and Iris were not there. So she and Anthony left everyone and the falderols or the wedding breakfast to rush to Jim's bedside.
Lynn, whil I thought the celebrant's address to Anthony and Liz was brilliant and so moving, I did not cry, but there were tears in my eyes with Wednesday's strip.

And for the life of me I can't see what's wrong with lavender and teal. It beats the fashionable black for bridesmaids down under!

And if I might have just one little gripe, lucky the readers in north America who can read the strip with their morning brekkie and coffee, but down here in Australia I have to waaaaait until just before 6.00pm to read it. Darned time zones!

Shirley, North Sydney, Australia

When Elly asked Liz if she was going to the hospitol "now" was just a reaction from the exciting day. I knew as soon as Liz was able to speak to someone she would ask where her Grandfather was. i did think when Liz and tony walked through the door the grandpa would flash to his wedding picture because of the dress.

Lisa T, Tarpon Springs FL

Writers were concerned about Liz having her wedding without knowing about Grandpa first, but it worked out okay. It seemed like a long span of time on paper, but it looks like Elly found out about her father only an hour or so before the wedding, and Iris did say that he would recover completely. I'll bet Elizabeth and her mom made arrangements that Elizabeth would go see her grandpa for a short period of time, return to the reception, and then Elly could go see her dad while the reception went on without her.

My dad was 84 when my daughter got married, and he got very overheated and overwhelmed at her reception in a private party room at a large hotel, and my husband and I had to take him and my mom out to the car and drive him home before the reception was over. I was sorry to leave the reception of my only daughter, but life went on without me, and it wasn't the end of the world. My dad's leave-taking at the wedding was kind of stressful on the other guests because unlike Grandpa Jim he wasn't quiet and patient; he was cussing and yelling, but we got him out of the hotel reltively quickly, and I think the other guests understood. People know and are understanding about things like this even at a wedding. Incidents like this during a big event just become part of the landscape of our lives.

Karlie, US

I'm thrilled that Liz and Anthony went to the hospital to see Grampa Jim! 27 years ago, my husband and I did the same thing - we rushed to the hospital to see a dear old family friend who couldn't make the wedding. I still remember walking through the hospital and hearing people call out "It's a bride and groom! I saw a bride and groom walk by!".
Our friend was thrilled to see us and after, his wife said that our visit perked him up for days.
So good on you, Liz and Anthony - this visit to Grampa Jim will become part of your very special wedding memories.

Mary Anne S, Doha, Qatar (Middle East)

Grampa Jim's face says it all in the last panel of Wed. strip. He is very happy that Anthony and Liz came to the hospital. I knew the newlyweds would go to the hospital! It is their special day, and they know how special Grampa Jim is and how much he wanted to be at the wedding. In the midst of all the hoopla of the wedding preps, the "kids" have kept their priorities.
I remember taking a detour on my wedding day to the home of an elderly friend of the family. It seemed to be the most natural thing to do, since we had invited her,I knew she had wanted to attend, but couldn't due to her health on the day of the wedding. She was very happy that we came, and we knew that we had made her day by including her. Liz and Anthony have the rest of their lives to celebrate their marriage. Grampa Jim won't be here much longer, and they made an impression by their actions. See, people, they DO have hearts after all!
thanks for a great strip!!

Rose C, Massachusetts

Today's strip bought me nearly to tears. Seeing Elizabeth and Anthony at Jim's bedside in their wedding finery. That was very sensative and touching. It will be a memeory that Liz will cherish. The guests will understand and the festivities will continue on like most wedding until after midnight. So hear, hear Lynn. I was wondering if John, Elly, April, Michael and Deanna going to go up to the hopital? Has April & Michael been told about their grandfather? I hope that will be shown in the strip with maybe a family portrait done with grandpa Jim in it. It would be nice to see some more new material as to Liz and Anthony's life as a couple them bringing in the next generation with their own children. But ending on a high note with the wedding is great also.

Susan, Welland ON

Hi Lynn

Wow Liz's Wedding was a great story line. As so many relate to in this blog I too have followed the Patterson family through it all. I even really enjoyed the TV show, (Still do when I visit Canada). April was born 3 Months before my Oldest Elizabeth. Following the things Beth and April did at the same time was so great. I am looking forwrd to the NEW FBOFW comming next week but I will also miss the old. Good Luck! and I will keep on reading!

Fred, Michigan

I have loved FBOFW as long as I can remember. It has paralleled my own family's life in so many ways. It is a soothing balm to my soul. I go to it first thing in the paper, above the front page, metro or business section. I get tired of reading all the depressing newsbreaking items of the economy, elections etc. Sweet family life does exist and FBOFW brings all that home. The Washington Post ran its article about Lynn's new idea for her Sept comic strip and semi retirement. Wonderful, yes! I would love to relive some of the good old days with the Pattersons. I loved Anthony and Elizabeth's wedding. I felt like it was happening to my own family! Michael's successful new book and the the fact that Elly and John are enjoying being grandparents, just like us! They are family. I love reading ab!
out their adventures so much that the usual Christmas present to me from my husband is another book of past strips so I can enjoy them all the time.
Go Lynn!! Please never stop!

Linda, Woodbridge, VA

Well, Lynn -

Another beautiful tear-jerker. I admire Liz and Anthony for what they did. I would certainly do the same. My real grandfather is quite ill at the moment, and this one just struck a chord with me, so thank you!

Sarah, Montreal QC

Thank goodness Liz and Anthony realized there are more important things than wedding receptions. Things like being there for pun-happy grandfathers, for instance. It's actually kind of nice to see that Jim has kept his sense of humor about things. If this is his last day on earth, he should go out as he lived: making God-awful wordplay.

Paul J, Saint John NB

Lynn,
I don't know how you do it, but I'm simply in awe of FBFW. The story lines are real, rich and deep with the entire expanse of human emotions; the panels on Liz's wedding have been some of the best. And, as a fellow model railroader, I can honestly say no one draws a better railroad cartoon than you.
Your little strip is a real blessing in a world seemingly full of hate, violence, rampant narcissism, and ignorance. Thanks for finding the good in all of us, amplifying it, and sharing it.May God bless!

Dave C, Minneapolis, MN

Started reading FBorFW when it first appeared in the Detroit Newspapers. Loved it from the start. My tears flowed freely with the series containging the final days of Elly's Mother. I was reading them at the same time my mother was in her final days. So many of the panels have brought belly laughs, chuckles and tears. Enjoy looking back also. Keep up the good work, I will always be a faithful reader.

Judith B, Michigan

Each of us has a desire for a do-over on some situation in their life. This idea of yours is fantastic and I truly want to share the ride with you.

My very first tear for a situation was your strip and how it covered handled Farley.

Well, time for another cup of java. Love you Lynn.

Cesta A, Born, Bred Texan working in DC

Today's strip brought back memories of our own wedding. We were fortunate, wedding a bit later in life than most folks, to have three grandparents at our wedding. But our wonderful caterer, who was also a friend, had had to go to the hospital a couple of days before the wedding.

My mom didn't tell me, and she and the women of our church took over the reception and did a fabulous job. But after the wedding, mom told me (she hadn't, like Liz's family, wanted to worry or upset me before the ceremony.)

Well, my (new) husband and I knew there was only one course of action after the reception, and before the honeymoon. We had our driver drop us off at the hospital and brought our fresh selves, covered in bird seed and carrying cake, to our friend.

She, too, was delighted to be "part" of the wedding that day, and said the bird seed we left all over her bed kept her smiling the rest of the day. She recovered from that bout of trouble, and lived a few more years.

So thank you for bringing back a wonderful memory for me. I'm not at all surprised that Liz would leave her reception to be with her Grandad. That's just what folks do.

Stephanie, Atlanta GA

Perhaps a better name for the strip could be
"Life Goes On" After taking care of aging parents with children growing up I know you can't stop weddings or babies or life when loved ones are sick. You do the best you can as the Pattersons are. Yes, Anthony has been married before and that is not unusual anymore. Life is a tapestry of the good and sad.

Denise C

I am so glad to read that you are staying with the strip. While I will miss the progression of the characters I will enjoy the "retro vision". I didn't start reading FBOFW until the late 80's so it will all be new to me. I look forward to it and to not losing one of my favorite comics!

Diane, Falls Church, Virginia

Love it! Love it! Love! Liz and Anthony did not hesitate to go to Jim. He may be in the hospital but he still has his sense of humor. His face said it all - happy and proud to have them visit. You are the best, Lynn!

Sandy, Breckenridge, CO