Pearls Before Swine by Stephan Pastis for December 24, 2012

always say you love some one before it’s to late, this is kind of sad … but a good story arc

:-(

Sometimes there are no words.

;_;

Andy ..you are the real hero…it is very easy to give up…good going….

Yeah. It doesn’t look good.

Fortunately he managed to break the chain that kept him from his family.

I got to say goodbye to my Father. I am deeply grateful for that.

Cold

This is so verry poignant. Thank you Mr. Pastis, this one wwill be remembered for a very long time.

Oh no!

The pain of mourning can be a positive thing. What’s worse is when your father dies and all you feel is a sense of release.

I wasn’t expecting that. And we are all feeling so sorry for him. The power of the comics! Thank you, Stephan!

Chet Atkins wrote a song about something like this - well, the hat part. Don’t be afraid to wear it Andy. Or anybody else.

Nice Christmas Eve strip, Stephan.:D

I am truly hoping that my instincts are awry…….that Pastis has not had a death of father or father-ih-law. If so, my heart goes out to him and his family. If not, it is a somber, thought provoking series.

What you’re supposed to think is Andy’s father has died. But why do I think he’s still alive and has told the Nurse to get rid of Andy for him.

Even though Andy didn’t get the “L” word out, he kept on trying to show him. After all, he broke through chains to get there. :-)

This is why I read Pearls Before Swine. Padtis never fails to surprise or amaze me, whether it be comedy or heartfelt moments like this.

@greenmage128—I fully agree with your comment!

See I’m not sure if he is dead or just gave the hat back.

Thank you for putting the snark on hold today; I am not being snarky when I say I was really touched by the last panel. I think everyone on the planet has wished they had a chance to say goodbye to someone who left too soon.

No matter what may follow tomorrow, in tomorrow’s comic or in life, this is a critical lesson. Well portrayed.

To all those unsure – yes, Andy’s father is dead.

Lost mine a little over a year ago. I was in the room when he left. I know he loved me, but for 50 plus years, I also knew he was ashamed of me. I just didn’t turn out like he wanted and he let me know it.

Sympathies to Andy. It hurts but you’re a good person to care so much.

PS: Stephen P. Thanks for the great series. You have helped.

Anyone know if this is tragically autobiographical?

Our deepest feelings live in words unspoken.

Just “the look” was all we needed between us. Same with me and all of my kids.

This one is DARK. Though almost every character thats introduced is killed off.

Dang if this strip didn’t bring a tear to my eye. I lost my Dad almost 20 years ago & I was with him when he passed. Excellent & very good strip today Stephan. Thank You.

been hearing about some good things that put faith in humanity. like, people going to the layaway and paying for other people’s layaway. or, donating toys for tots. or, paying the next 500 dollars of groceries at a grocery store in CT.

Wow, umm…Merry Christmas

Okay, you made me cry.

Great story arc, I’ll remember this one for a very long time! Thanks for the reminder!

Awwwwwwwwww!

xxx

I appreciate the story arc. But, I thought it was a little sad for Christmas. PBS is still my favorite comic strip!

Everyone should have a Christmas hat.

NRA

That kind of nurse is priceless….

and on Christmas Eve………

I can’t remember the last time a comic strip made me cry.

Well, I’m crying.

what a bummer and andy is so nice. what a shorrible christmas present

My brother and I were estranged from our dad, his choice. He died of cancer without ever contacting us. I only found out later from his second wife, because legally she had to provide us a copy of his will. In which he unsurprisingly left us nothing.

Wow. Didn’t see that coming. Well done, Staphan.

Sometimes your strip is so absurd (that’s a GOOD thing) that I am thankful that I still wear blue suits…because I wet myself sometimes…and it doesn’t show

Wow, this is very heavy for a comic strip at this time of season. But there are two sparks. Andy did his best to reconcile and the sensitive nurse there to comfort him in grief. What lessons should we take from this??

Nooooo! Andy!(Maybe, just maybe, Andy’s dad hasn’t died, as some are suggesting. But I think he has.)

A great one, Steph.

You’re in a rut, Stephen. How about more crocs???

This is grim Xmas eve material. If you are trying to be cathartic and touching, I think it is misplaced. If this is some form of autobiographical insight, I feel for you and appreciate your willingness to share – but this brings sadness and pain to many at a time when joy would come so easily. All of us who have lost our parents will think back on bittersweet memories, reviewing how we could have done something more or not done something we regretted too late. We don’t need help to revisit that pain and regret. Those that have not had such a loss will be given the chill of irrevocable loss at a time when their hearts should be warm. If you are processing the death of an estranged parent, take time to process it away from this venue. Share your pain with those that love you, mend, and bring your humor back to here.

I am about to go have a good cry…

My brother died two years ago the 23rd. I tried to call him the night before, to remind him I loved him, but he had already started going comatose.

With all the sappy treacle out there about Christmas, this strip said it all: love one another.

So sad.

As a child whose mother has always been cold, mean and emotionally distant, this was sweet. It really struck a chord with me. I make sure to hug my daughter every single day and tell her how much she means to me.

OK Mr. P you got me again. Sitting here on Christmas Eve crying. I still bought your book though and LOVE IT! Who is Gwen really?

“If there’s anything that’s due ‘em, now’s the time to slip it to ’em, for they cannot smell the flowers from the grave.” – Tito Cavalli

Sometimes things never need to be said .But I gotta say Stephen can often do this to ya , make you laugh then cry in the same strip. Brilliant . thank you .

Also props to nurses and doctors working today and tomorrow.

(She looks like a doctor. Do nurses wear stethoscopes?)

What a damper on the strip on christmas eve

Viejo idiota

I have only a short time left, and when I go I hope that my kids and grandkids can find happier thoughts, especially at this supposedly joyful time. That’s what I look for here -an escape and a humor haven. These recent strips are a bummer and, as someone mentioned earlier, misplaced. Perhaps they are cathartic for Stephan Pastis. If so, my condolences. But I look forward to a return to nuttiness and smiles.

I unfortunately learned this the hard way….a friend of mine and I would argue all the time over the littlest things. Pretty soon I grew cold to her apologies. She moved away, we lost touch, and then she passed away in a car accident. I’d never forgiven her, and it crushed me. Never again will I hold a grudge. It’s too painful.

@pumaman..oh he left you a lot,and you can keep it or let it go…your choice

She told him he was asleep and you know what sleep means to a dog….

this would be Dad’s fault. never forget that. Just forgive it.

Oh, hello tears… Where did you come from? ;_;

Oh, poor Andy.

Lots of complaints about this storyliune since it started, but there sure are a lot of folks still here and having a cathartic moment as well. Nice contrast moment for those who find this time of year bleak.

February 7, dum dum.

I hope that nice nurse takes him home and keeps him and he never has to wear a chain again, and he gets to sleep on the couch and sit on her lap and have toys and treats and they live happily ever after. That would be the best Christmas strip ever. C’mon, Pastis – let Andy have a forever home that he deserves.

Damn

I wish everyone here a very Merry, Peaceful Christmas, with fond memories to be shared with the ones you love…and never forget to tell the ones you love that you do.

This is no longer a comic strip. It’s a reflection of life.

Yeah, he’s dead, man, I’m so sorry

No fair — PBS is not supposed to make me cry!

Geez! Full of Christmas cheer — NOT!

.

D.E.P.R.E.S.S.I.N.G.

I miss my mom…. I never got to say goodbye thanks to those…

…

…no…

cries PBS IS NOT SUPPOSED TO BEEEE SAAAD!

Rest In Peace, large doggo.

He will have a nice place in heaven. I’m sure of it.

Ohmygods, I’m running out of tears to cry