Since its debut in 1979, "For Better or For Worse" has touched comic strip readers as few cartoons ever do. Cartoonist Lynn Johnston’s eye for detail and her uncanny sense of what real parents and children struggle with daily are a big part of her success. The world has watched the Patterson family grow up in real time, and to many readers, the Pattersons feel like family!

Parents and children alike will relate to the obstacles that the Patterson family faces. Curfews, parent date nights, babysitting, pets and distractions are all hurdles that the Pattersons must overcome in order to enjoy each other as a family. They face the same obstacles that real life families do, which is what makes them so loveable.

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In 1979, the world was introduced to the Patterson family; John, the dentist father, Elly, the stay-at-home mom and their two children Michael and Elizabeth. They were adopted by millions of readers who followed the familiar routines, habits, arguments and blessings of any average family. Marital and sibling trials and tribulations rang true through households around the globe, and what a delight it was, to be able to poke fun and realize the levity of these seemingly stressful and trying times.

With two school-aged children her primary focus, Elly divided her endless energy between juggling family responsibilities, running a household, and her need to volunteer in her community. The kids developed friendships and outside interests which widened the scope of the Patterson community. Friends, colleagues, pets, neighbors and extended family all began to play an integral and humorous role on the comics page.

Once a delicate balance was struck between schoolyard teasing, teen angst, managing two careers, hockey practice, Halloween costumes, inviting in-laws for dinner and having clean laundry, the Patterson keel was tilted with the unexpected arrival of baby, April. The joys and fears of parenting, in a new decade, were shared from key points of view from dad, mom, big brother, big sister and the family sheepdog. Three is an odd number, and the lives of three children resulted in many good-humored oddities of family living.

The Pattersons, not unlike ourselves, integrate with their community and realize that time does not stand still, nor do the changes in trends, economics and social issues. As an audience, we discovered the homosexuality of one of Michael’s lifelong friends, the physical disabilities of one of Elizabeth’s teachers, John’s middle-aged insecurities and Elly’s venture into the working class.

Ah! Yet another sharp turn in the journey of the Patterson family! Both parents were now working outside the home, Michael was off to university, Elizabeth was a full-blown teenager, and April was curiously exploring the world around her. Her explorations regretfully led to the death of the family sheep dog, Farley, who died after rescuing wee April from a fall into the backyard ravine.

Farley’s bumbling spirit carried on in the arrival of his son, Edgar. At times, the antics of the puppy phase were reflections of child rearing! Elly was thankful for her experiences and lessons learned as a mother of three. Her appreciation for her own mom was heightened dealing with her mother’s ill health and eventual death. Elly’s widowed father, Jim, moved in with the Patterson clan. His well-earned perspective and appreciation toward life has been invaluable to this familiar comic family.

Aging the characters resulted in us witnessing Liz’s entrance to university; Michael falling in love and marrying Deanna Sobinski; April being an "only child," and Elly realizing one of her dreams: becoming the proud owner of a local book and toy store.

Proud parents of groom, Michael, have warmly welcomed their daughter-in-law, Deanna, and more recently, grandchildren into their family. Elizabeth has ventured from the Patterson nest into a career of teaching, Grandpa Jim is independently living with his new bride Iris, and April is following the well-traveled Patterson path into her teen years.

The story of the Pattersons reads like many family albums with many memories still in the making!!