Now for the test. We have seen this comic strip since Michael was 5 years old. Can you name one time when John Patterson sat down and taught Michael something? John looks so startled in the last panel, I suspect that’s what he is thinking too.
Alright just so everybody’s on the same page, Michael is thanking John for everything over the years. From lessons to punishments and rewards, Michael took a mental note and is going to use it now. Do not turn it into more than it needs to be.
This is exactly why Lynn Johnston is so incredibly good! She takes little snippets of real life scenarios and draws them out for us via gentle humor, sometimes biting sarcasm, and like this one… through a touching child-parent moment often unnoticed or even acknowledged. She is a genius, really. I have followed her work since the early 1980s. These strips never get old. This particular strip tugs at my heart as Michael, the adult-like fledgling (with his beloved teddy bear tucked in his suitcase)… is off to college. Well done, Lynn. :)
I was so glad to get a “Good morning” text from my Freshman daughter this morning. Yesterday we had an e-mail conversation about some of the stuff she’s been doing since we dropped her off.
Fathers do teach their sons, but most often it is not a sit down talk. Fathers teach by doing while son’s watch. Father’s tend to be uncomfortable teaching the way mothers do.
Did we teach him how to fly? Did we really? Can he really fly on his own? Will he really be okay? Did we really do a good enough job? What are we going to do without him here? We’re not ready for this …
Sons learn more by watching their Fathers… versus listening to their Mothers. I remember a few teaching moments with my Dad, but a LOT more time just watching him.
Jon, it always comes as such a shock doesn’t it. At 16 they think you are the dumbest parent on earth, once they get out in the real world they are amazed and appreciate how much smarter you became in just a couple of short years.
My daughter never forgets me on Father’s Day. I taught her the same things I learned from my dad and more. She has a great arm, can defend herself, has confidence in her abilities, can repair a toilet and isn’t afraid to tackle a job that requires tools. She once called me for guidance on how to replace doorknobs. I am her mom.
I was recently watching the movie Taps, about a military academy. The protagonist was telling him roommate that he had moved from base to base ever since he was born as his father was a career soldier. The protagonist also said when he was 11, he was living at Fort Jackson when his mother became terminally ill. When she died in the hospital, his father then took him to the hospital chapel, saying he would leave him alone for 15 minutes. The boy was allowed to cry, say a prayer for his mother, or do anything else in remembrance of her. When the 15 minutes were over, the father came back and said he did not want to hear any more about the mother. Now it was time for them to be men and move on with their lives.
He’ll write, alright, when in need of cash. I don’t ever remember writing home in my only year of college mainly because I had saved enough money when I had did part time work my senior year of high school.
The final panel brought tears to my eyes. Perhaps because it reminded me of how my parents also “taught me how to fly” away to a life much different than theirs had been.
Prescott_Philosopher over 1 year ago
Watch out for Hawks.
howtheduck over 1 year ago
Now for the test. We have seen this comic strip since Michael was 5 years old. Can you name one time when John Patterson sat down and taught Michael something? John looks so startled in the last panel, I suspect that’s what he is thinking too.
epicatt2- over 1 year ago
He did teach Michael but it was largely osmotic.
Last Rose Of Summer Premium Member over 1 year ago
Awwwww.
GirlGeek Premium Member over 1 year ago
Alright just so everybody’s on the same page, Michael is thanking John for everything over the years. From lessons to punishments and rewards, Michael took a mental note and is going to use it now. Do not turn it into more than it needs to be.
robertolopezuk over 1 year ago
I cant stop sobbing here.
Harumph over 1 year ago
Why is he taking the bus?
Foggy Coast Premium Member over 1 year ago
This is exactly why Lynn Johnston is so incredibly good! She takes little snippets of real life scenarios and draws them out for us via gentle humor, sometimes biting sarcasm, and like this one… through a touching child-parent moment often unnoticed or even acknowledged. She is a genius, really. I have followed her work since the early 1980s. These strips never get old. This particular strip tugs at my heart as Michael, the adult-like fledgling (with his beloved teddy bear tucked in his suitcase)… is off to college. Well done, Lynn. :)
Wren Fahel over 1 year ago
I was so glad to get a “Good morning” text from my Freshman daughter this morning. Yesterday we had an e-mail conversation about some of the stuff she’s been doing since we dropped her off.
Jeffin Premium Member over 1 year ago
Who are you and what have you done with my surly teenage son?
DawnQuinn1 over 1 year ago
Fathers do teach their sons, but most often it is not a sit down talk. Fathers teach by doing while son’s watch. Father’s tend to be uncomfortable teaching the way mothers do.
Redd Panda over 1 year ago
Realistically, the old man would slip the kid a few bucks
‘’Tuck it away, in case you need it.’’
MuddyUSA Premium Member over 1 year ago
A good Dad……
French Persons Premium Member over 1 year ago
Ha Ha Ha
Doug K over 1 year ago
Did we teach him how to fly? Did we really? Can he really fly on his own? Will he really be okay? Did we really do a good enough job? What are we going to do without him here? We’re not ready for this …
g04922 over 1 year ago
Sons learn more by watching their Fathers… versus listening to their Mothers. I remember a few teaching moments with my Dad, but a LOT more time just watching him.
vaughnrl2003 Premium Member over 1 year ago
Kind of teared up there. Reminds me of when I got on the bus to go to boot camp.
dlaemmerhirt999 over 1 year ago
I’M NOT CRYING, D_MMIT. YOU ARE!!! D’X
sobrown51 over 1 year ago
My three “kids” individually telling me I’d been a great dad (after they’d become adults) will always be the highlight of my life.
indysteve9 over 1 year ago
Write? With free long distant calling on cell phones, why would you write, just call home.
CitizenOfTheValley over 1 year ago
Children learn a lot by observing how you act. They learn very little by what you say.
Daltongang Premium Member over 1 year ago
Jon, it always comes as such a shock doesn’t it. At 16 they think you are the dumbest parent on earth, once they get out in the real world they are amazed and appreciate how much smarter you became in just a couple of short years.
Moonkey Premium Member over 1 year ago
My daughter never forgets me on Father’s Day. I taught her the same things I learned from my dad and more. She has a great arm, can defend herself, has confidence in her abilities, can repair a toilet and isn’t afraid to tackle a job that requires tools. She once called me for guidance on how to replace doorknobs. I am her mom.
mruch over 1 year ago
Sometime actions speak better than words
USN1977 over 1 year ago
I was recently watching the movie Taps, about a military academy. The protagonist was telling him roommate that he had moved from base to base ever since he was born as his father was a career soldier. The protagonist also said when he was 11, he was living at Fort Jackson when his mother became terminally ill. When she died in the hospital, his father then took him to the hospital chapel, saying he would leave him alone for 15 minutes. The boy was allowed to cry, say a prayer for his mother, or do anything else in remembrance of her. When the 15 minutes were over, the father came back and said he did not want to hear any more about the mother. Now it was time for them to be men and move on with their lives.
InuYugiHakusho over 1 year ago
And so begins a new chapter in Michael’s life.
Angry Indeed Premium Member over 1 year ago
He’ll write, alright, when in need of cash. I don’t ever remember writing home in my only year of college mainly because I had saved enough money when I had did part time work my senior year of high school.
rftarbell over 1 year ago
Oh yeah… He learned. Very touching.
rlaker22j over 1 year ago
best reply possible
MarshaOstroff over 1 year ago
The final panel brought tears to my eyes. Perhaps because it reminded me of how my parents also “taught me how to fly” away to a life much different than theirs had been.
namelocdet over 1 year ago
Awww
kamoolah over 1 year ago
The Pattersons need to get Michael tutored and Farley neutered.
carolutsinger over 1 year ago
it happens behind the scenes in the way John treats his family and works hard….and shows his love to Michael.
happyainthappy about 1 year ago
What’s that other word for oatmeal?—-ah,yes—MUSH!!