How sad!

I know this is kinda silly but I'm really sad to hear that Lynn Johnston, author of the For Better or For Worse comic strip is going to stop writing the strip.

Since I was a little girl, I read the strip and grew up with her kids. Michael is a couple years younger than I, but FBoFW always seemed to have something to teach me or amuse me. I own every book she's put out and I will continue to pick up her last books. I read the strip daily.

She will continue to reminisce over the beginning of the strip until next year, then she will only write an occasional strip and no one will progress beyond this time. I think one of the greatest qualities of her strip is that she was the first person to ever let her characters age. We have now followed one entire generation. Michael and Liz are now adults and Michael's children have children the same age as they were when the strip started.

Lynn helped the world see through different eyes. She dared to show the world through the eyes of a gay teen (Lawrence), his life as he grew and people's interactions with him. She laughed at the idiosyncrasies of a domineering mother and having horrible neighbors. She dealt with death and disability with sensitivity and humor. With Michael, Liz, and April we went though school and teenage angst. Michael and Liz both had relationship disasters and now perhaps some successes. We watched them party through college and grow into working adults. In some ways their lives mirrored mine.

I grow teary eyed at the thought of not having them growing old with me to help me deal with life with the humor it deserves. In a way, it feels like several good friends or family members have died and won't be there with me anymore to share my joys and sorrow. Still I celebrate what Lynn has done. She deserves a chance to retire and enjoy her retirement. I will miss her.