For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for February 20, 2021

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    capricorn9th  over 3 years ago

    I wonder what howtheduck has to say about the last panel.

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    Templo S.U.D.  over 3 years ago

    how wise of you, Brian, to make a tear jerk from Michael’s face

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    cracker65  over 3 years ago

    I believe Mike is seeing life from a completely different perspective.

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    howtheduck  over 3 years ago

    This is so strange coming from Brian Enjo who, prior to this point, was the kid who had no problem with moral choices. After all, Brian is the guy from the summer camp a few years ago, who squealed on Michael for getting caught trying to look into the girls’ shower to his mother, who then told Elly, who then did nothing. Summer camp Brian would not have hesitated to tell his mother about what happened to Gordon.

    This Brian seems to be just the opposite. His conversation is very dark. That this Brian’s only aspiration is to survive his family and be healthy is a clue that something must have gone wrong in the Enjo house. I was worried for Gordon, but now I am worried for Brian.

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    Black76Manta  over 3 years ago

    For being a good and wonderful mother, mike is finally understanding how lucky he is to have you for a mother!

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    M2MM  over 3 years ago

    Kids that grow up in a functional family usually don’t realize how good they have it. :) (Not until they meet someone from the “other side.”)

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    Katsuro Premium Member over 3 years ago

    Like Billy Joel sings, “We all have a face that we hide away forever, and we take them out and show ourselves when everyone has gone…”

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    GirlGeek Premium Member over 3 years ago

    I’m not a huge Elly fan but the last panel was sweet.

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    Johnnyrico  over 3 years ago

    “Hafta. Hafta. Hafta hafta ‘an hafta ‘an ‘an hafta. Hafta ‘an ‘an hafta ‘an? Hafta ‘an, ‘an ‘an hafta ‘an hafta hafta hafta.”

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    bkybl Premium Member over 3 years ago

    If you look carefully, you’ll see the word is “an’”, a frequent way to shorten “and”; sometimes it’s just “‘n’”.

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    jamessveta  over 3 years ago

    You never know how good you have it until you see how bad off others are.

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    basspro  over 3 years ago

    Although this strip is a replay from its past, it still ranks as one of the best strips I look at on a daily basis, for this very reason. Thank you Lynn Johnston.

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    john  over 3 years ago

    Mike can experience gratitude; who would have thought?

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    Yardley701  over 3 years ago

    Made me cry. I am so glad Michael appreciates the good, kind parents he has.

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    Jeffin Premium Member over 3 years ago

    Don’t know what you got til it’s gone.

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    Cincoflex  over 3 years ago

    Now the question is—-will Ellie ask, or just accept the hug at face value?

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    j.l.farmer  over 3 years ago

    if you are his friend you need to be there for Gordon, let him know that you care about him, that he can count on you when times get to be too much for him, that you are there for him no matter what.

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    'IndyMan'  over 3 years ago

    At least, ‘Mike’ has parents he he not afraid to hug ! ! ! ! !

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    fullofhope99  over 3 years ago

    Abuse is wrong no matter what the situation is, and especially when a minor is involved. Too bad different times tried to justify being ok with abuse as trying to “keep the peace”.

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    raybarb44  over 3 years ago

    Moms do deserve and should get those appreciation hugs all the time……

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    Bruce1253  over 3 years ago

    “. . . Because hell, hell is for children

    And you know that their little lives can become such a mess

    Hell, hell is for children

    And you shouldn’t have to pay for your love

    With your bones and your flesh. . ."

    - “Hell Is For Children”, Pat Benatar

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    BrendaMinnis  over 3 years ago

    takes someone else’s bad situation to show you how good yours is, even when the parents get upset you are better off than the physical attacks so many kids go through.

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    CoreyTaylor1  over 3 years ago

    Elly does NOT deserve that hug. Gordon’s father beat the crap out of him because SHE gave him an excuse to do it!

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    The_Great_Black President  over 3 years ago

    Gordon’s father is a dropout. The more education people have, the less violent they are. Stay in school, everyone.

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    Ginny Premium Member over 3 years ago

    FINALLY, the kid is appreciating his mom and what he’s got …

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    Scoutmaster77  over 3 years ago

    Be thankful for what you have.

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    Jan C  over 3 years ago

    I don’t like the “you have to accept it” attitude that Brian displays here. We should never accept that abuse is okay as long as the abused person doesn’t complain.

    I do love the last panel, though. It makes my arms ache to hold my mother again. (14 years and counting.)

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    kathleenhicks62  over 3 years ago

    Counting his blessings I would say.

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    Peanut Butter 5674  over 3 years ago

    This made me smile. Brian’s a good friend.

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    soaringblocks  over 3 years ago

    yeah!

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    tammyspeakslife Premium Member over 3 years ago

    He reminds me of the people who say “we’ve all been traumatised in childhood.” To which I would reply, “Wanna compare notes?!” Have you ever seen the eyes of a child who was ritually abused by her parents. They’re hollow, blank, full of pain and asking “WHY?

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    JD'Huntsville'AL  over 3 years ago

    TGISATSLIO

    (Thank God It’s Saturday And This Story Line Is Over)

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    oakie817  over 3 years ago

    aw

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    Aladar30 Premium Member over 3 years ago

    Beautiful.

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    rebelstrike0  over 3 years ago

    It is evident “Lyin’ Brian” is covering for Gordon. What did Gordon’s father do to bribe Brian? Give him a stray cat so the Enjos could have some Asian food for dinner?

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    Ray Helvy Premium Member over 3 years ago

    Surviving and being healthy is so sad, but is sometimes the truth. I just wish the real reason for the shiner was stepping on a rake, getting popped on the face, and being too embarrassed to own up to it.

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    hagarthehorrible  over 3 years ago

    That is for keeping the family in the ‘good’ category.

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