No, not the vow I took when I married Burl – I’m referring with this post to what I consider to be the greatest cartoon strip ever written. Lynn Johnston’s fictional family, the Pattersons, have been part of my life for many year – in fact they so much feel like good friends that daughter Tammy and I talk about them by first names only. When Burl first heard one of our conversations he just figured we were discussing some relatives or former neighbors – but actually the Pattersons are closer than that!
The wonderful thing about For Better or For Worse is that the characters age – they live ordinary lives that border on normal (whatever that’s supposed to mean!) and through them I see the traits that really matter in life. I cried when Farley the dog died, I rejoiced when April was born (and now she’s a teenager), I attended Michael and Deanna’s wedding, went through the birth of their two kids, suffered the pain of Elly selling her bookstore, laughed with Dr. Patterson’s dental escapades but for a long time the burning question has centered around daughter Elizabeth and her friend Anthony - their paths keep crossing, her other boyfriends fall by the wayside and still, there’s Anthony!
Now Lynn Johnston is changing the whole dynamics – no longer will these dear friends age – she’s going to write a “hybrid” version (whatever the hell that means) and I can only hope she answers the Anthony/Elizabeth mystery. Time is running short – the strip is about to end as we know it and I pray that she doesn’t leave Elizabeth forever on her own as a single school teacher while Anthony raises his daughter alone. Please Lynn – you know they are meant for each other, they love each other – please, please, please! How about they elope? No time now for a fancy wedding – just a simple ceremony and I’ll be happy! Tammy agrees with me – Ralph doesn’t – what does Ralph know anyway?
I agree with you, I’ll hate to see the strip change. I read it every morning and have for years.
Have you noticed the recent change to the art work? It seems very different over the last couple weeks?
I think they are re-running some of the old strips – I read a piece online that told me Lynn Johnston is having health problems and instead of quitting the strip she’s going to focus more on Michael and his family going forward so I think she’s running old strips to give everyone Michael’s life story.
I just wish she’s resolve the Anthony/Elizabeth relationship!!! See you all Thursday – looking forward to a great trip.