I got bleary-eyed reading this one on a personal level. This strip coincides with the passing of my mother eleven years ago today – Sunday, August 25, 2013. :-(
I think it was said best by Dr. Leonard McCoy after the death of Mr. Spock: “He’s really not dead, as long as we remember him”- from Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
I miss my mom. Glioblastoma murdered her a couple years ago (Cancer is not natural, no matter what the science tells me. I bitterly view it as a microscopic-murderer) and I mourn for her to this day. This strip? Yeah….let’s just say Pig is more of a healer than even he realizes. He’s not allowed to be called a failure anymore.
“In other words, emotions don’t have to make logical sense. The fox will grieve the prince because he has established an emotional bond with him that causes him to value his company. That bond is invisible but no less real for being invisible, and breaking it will cause the fox pain.”
Animation studio Pixar began its finest movie, UP, with a wordless twenty minute recap of an old man’s life. Like this strip, it brought tears to my eye.
Thank you Stephan. Thursday marked six months since my 13 year old daughter’s passing from a brain tumor. I have read your strip every day since then because it was in her daily comic feed, not mine. I’ve grown (or should that be “groan”?) to love your puns as much as she did. Thank you for this tribute today, to all of our loved ones who have transitioned out of this physical form but live on forever- in our hearts and in ways we can’t fully comprehend.
Because Pig is so often beaten down and depressed, he UNDERSTANDS. He’s travelled the dark roads of the soul himself and knows what helps and what doesn’t.
When the body moves on, the vacancy creates a great sense of loss, but love lives on and is eternal, and the connection to loved ones will always be there for us. I like to think it is a bond that can never truly be broken, and will one day, some how, renew itself.
I am heartened to see so many positive and numerous comments here. May the trolls someday know this kind of love,
IF that’s all there is, I might as well forget everybody I loved who has passed — it won’t make any difference to them, and I can go on without missing them. Yeah, doesn’t work that way, so it’s just sad. They’re just gone, and all that’s moved is where I file the memories of them as those fade away. I’m glad I don’t have to feel that’s how it is.
This hit hard. It’s been 3 years since I lost my husband of 43 years only 3 days after our anniversary. Then my 92 year old mother passed away in January. Still having a hard time with it all. You never forget, just keep going on, and living in the memories.
Perfect for me today…I lost a really special cat 2 years ago today…due to a callous vet screw up. I look at his pix most nights and keep my memories of him alive.
WOW! So perfect. I have ordered 4 copies of this panel to send to friends who are going through mourning. THANK YOU Stephan. You are completely forgiven for all the bad (and wonderfully funny) puns!
This was definitely not the usual strip we’ve come to expect and enjoy from Mr. Pastis. But somehow he KNEW that I definitively needed this right now. Thank you!
For the first time ever, I bought a copy of this strip and it’s already arrived. Maybe some day I’ll be able to look at without crying. Thank you, thank you, Stephan.
This came out just after my wife’s mother passed away. She wrote to Mr. Pastis to express how much these sentiments comforted her after losing not just a Mom, but her best friend.
Spacehog 25 days ago
Awww, that is a very nice strip!
BasilBruce 25 days ago
Don’t know what to say here.
3nemesis 25 days ago
Always know that loved ones will be kept in your heart for all eternity.
Hello Everyone 25 days ago
Such a Sweet Pearls Story!! Of course, Rat will cause Chaos on Monday…
Bilan 25 days ago
They must have bribed Rat to stay out of today’s strip.
The dude from FL Premium Member 25 days ago
Can’t believe Pastis came out with this, somethings coming! Hang on
Cheapskate0 25 days ago
The good news: The loves of my life are in my heart as long as I am alive.
The bad news: What happens to them when I’m gone?
Starrymom Premium Member 25 days ago
This is really beautiful.
ronaldspence 25 days ago
Powerful, wonderful…thank you
Kitty Queen 25 days ago
Beautiful. I hope everything is all okay
gemarie414 25 days ago
Thank you.
MeanBob Premium Member 25 days ago
You have my sympathy Stephan.
darkwingdave 25 days ago
Need to clean the screen. Kinda blurry all of a sudden.
Renatus Profuturus Frigeridus Premium Member 25 days ago
My mom died in 1965 when I was eight. Since then there hasn’t been a day when I haven’t thought about her.
baddawg1989 25 days ago
I got bleary-eyed reading this one on a personal level. This strip coincides with the passing of my mother eleven years ago today – Sunday, August 25, 2013. :-(
Tomegollihugh Premium Member 25 days ago
Miss me but let me go
Yakety Sax 25 days ago
Thank you, Stephan. (୨୧•͈ᴗ•͈)◞ᵗʱᵃᵑᵏઽ*♡
hariseldon59 25 days ago
I think it was said best by Dr. Leonard McCoy after the death of Mr. Spock: “He’s really not dead, as long as we remember him”- from Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
Algolei I 25 days ago
When I die, I’m taking everyone I love with me.
#notathreat
olds_cool63 25 days ago
Her name is “RIP”, Pig? Hahaha!
pschearer Premium Member 25 days ago
Someone died?
TampaFanatic1 25 days ago
Dang, one of your best strips ever Pastis! First class. Time for the tissue at 3AM here in Tampa……
Templo S.U.D. 25 days ago
Beautifully writ, Steph.
TwilightFaze 25 days ago
I miss my mom. Glioblastoma murdered her a couple years ago (Cancer is not natural, no matter what the science tells me. I bitterly view it as a microscopic-murderer) and I mourn for her to this day. This strip? Yeah….let’s just say Pig is more of a healer than even he realizes. He’s not allowed to be called a failure anymore.
rekam Premium Member 25 days ago
Thanks, Stephan. You brought tears to this widow’s eyes. Lost the love of my life almost 14 years ago.
jonnytest 25 days ago
What prompted this?
Doubly Horque Premium Member 25 days ago
On the 6th anniversary of my father passing away. Thanks Stephan.
montymiff 25 days ago
Liked and Pinned.
orinoco womble 25 days ago
I think there’s a story here.
workjobb Premium Member 25 days ago
When has a comic strip made me cry? I don’t remember, but thank you Pastis. This may be the best ever.
CementerAD5 25 days ago
Once again, we see that “In Humor, There IS Truth”
sbenton7684 25 days ago
Nothing needs to be said. Pig’s said it all…
iggyman 25 days ago
Wonderful sentiment here I can relate to.
Guybrush Threepwood 25 days ago
Hey, I’m supposed to laugh here, not tear up!
zerotvus 25 days ago
It was a year and six months ago, my wife passed away…………………Thank you Stephan
cdward 25 days ago
Hugs.
SheMc 25 days ago
Aaawww, how sweet X
tatersalad8498 25 days ago
Speechless…..ok, I’m listening….messages and taps on the shoulder are all around….if i look andisten
willispate 25 days ago
this comic page speaks to me big time. 10 Stars.
ascanio 25 days ago
Reminds me of a Henry Scott Holland poem
Mr. Organization 25 days ago
Wonderfully insightful strips like this more than compensate for Pastis’ epic puns.
Ellis97 25 days ago
Pearls isn’t always edginess and irreverence. It can be heartfelt and touching, too.
juicebruce 25 days ago
Words of Wisdom from Pig … Did not Think he had it in him :-)
gozirra2 Premium Member 25 days ago
Hugs are good for the soul.
Ninette 25 days ago
No greater sadness than the loss of one’s spouse.
Huckleberry Hiroshima 25 days ago
Welll…. okay Pig. Okay.
rock_smasher_9 25 days ago
This is the most wholesome pearls before swine ever
Slowly, he turned... 25 days ago
I wanted to say, “have you hugged your pig today?” but it seems disrespectful somehow.
rogerbknight 25 days ago
I’m not crying. You’re crying.
deojaideep aka Courage 25 days ago
Been through this, can’t read today’s comic without a tear in my eye! :.(
k8zhd 25 days ago
Four months since my wife died on the day before our 28th anniversary. This hits home so nicely. Thanks, Stephen.
Rasslebear 25 days ago
What happened to Pig? That’s the nicest he’s ever been to anyone.
Tigrisan Premium Member 25 days ago
Crying…
kittygatos 25 days ago
Reminds me of “The Little Prince” story. Fox: “It is only in the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.”
kittygatos 25 days ago
“In other words, emotions don’t have to make logical sense. The fox will grieve the prince because he has established an emotional bond with him that causes him to value his company. That bond is invisible but no less real for being invisible, and breaking it will cause the fox pain.”
Killraven Premium Member 25 days ago
Wonderful strip, thank you Stephan.
jimmjonzz Premium Member 25 days ago
Pig says, “So she’s not gone. She’s just moved.”
When my oldest sister died, I had an especially vivid dream in which she spoke to me.
She said, “I’m not gone. I’ve just stepped slightly to the side for a time.”
Never had a “visitation” like that before or since, but it still feels real these decades later.
GentlemanBill 25 days ago
This would bring a tear to a glass eye.
i_am_the_jam 25 days ago
Lost my dad in 2019.
Kveldulf 25 days ago
When famous science fiction writer Robert Heinlein was a young man, he wrote perhaps the most satisfying story about dying that has ever been penned:
The Man Who Traveled in Elephants
kporgeron 25 days ago
It’s very rare for me to keep a comic strip. In nearly 70 years, I have less than 5, all very personal. This one will be added to the list.
Kveldulf 25 days ago
Animation studio Pixar began its finest movie, UP, with a wordless twenty minute recap of an old man’s life. Like this strip, it brought tears to my eye.
sabiyag 25 days ago
Absolute truth.
AtariDragon 25 days ago
Sorry, but merely being able to imagine a deceased loved one is poor comfort.
[Unnamed Reader - bddb15] 25 days ago
Oh Dear Sweet Wonderful Pig! It is because of you that I look at this comic every day.
jannichols2000 25 days ago
Lovely sentiment, Pig.
jel354 25 days ago
I like it when Pastis takes the occasional break from humor and gives readers the feels.
smoore47 25 days ago
Losing them is tough. My father died at 47 and my brother at 54. Never have been able to get over the shock.
dexterwhite 25 days ago
Remembering my parents and my younger brother today…..
Goat from PBS 25 days ago
I’m just gonna say it.
AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!
That’s so sweet!
Katje 25 days ago
Snif Please, don’t ,make me cry…
win.45mag 25 days ago
The things those who don’t know God convince themselves of……………
MaryBethJavorek1 25 days ago
that is really a beautiful thought in order to get comfort in a time of sorrow, thank you
steveswamp 25 days ago
Good timing. Today would have been 34 years if marriage. She passed away exactly 7 months ago.
raybarb44 25 days ago
Wisdom from the pain……
miltondavis 25 days ago
Pastis; from one end of the spectrum to the other… Thanks.
klapre 25 days ago
Wow
Acworthless 25 days ago
This brings to mind the strip he did when he had to have his dog put down (12-09-2018). I wonder if he’s lost someone close to him.
dhmcgee04 Premium Member 25 days ago
Thank you.
royq27 25 days ago
Can see why there are so many likes, great strip.
Charles & Susan Premium Member 25 days ago
I’m crying that was beautiful
HMETALNYMETSVAL Premium Member 25 days ago
Awwww, beautiful and wonderful. I love the colors!
Otis Rufus Driftwood 25 days ago
Why Pig is in the strip.
snowedin, now known as Missy's mom 25 days ago
How sweet! Thank you, Mr. Pastis!
Lee Hauser Premium Member 25 days ago
My mom died three weeks ago today. This strip is very true.
hooglah 25 days ago
This is so true.
Jody H. Premium Member 25 days ago
Thank you Stephan. Thursday marked six months since my 13 year old daughter’s passing from a brain tumor. I have read your strip every day since then because it was in her daily comic feed, not mine. I’ve grown (or should that be “groan”?) to love your puns as much as she did. Thank you for this tribute today, to all of our loved ones who have transitioned out of this physical form but live on forever- in our hearts and in ways we can’t fully comprehend.
anomaly 25 days ago
Seven months since my wife died. Thank you, Steph.
NewBurgundy 25 days ago
I have to go find a box…case of Kleenex now.
Mark Jeffrey Premium Member 25 days ago
Why was it Pig who did this?
Because Pig is so often beaten down and depressed, he UNDERSTANDS. He’s travelled the dark roads of the soul himself and knows what helps and what doesn’t.
rs0204 Premium Member 25 days ago
I wish Pig was in my life.
Kobato 25 days ago
Pig’s the best comforting people over lost loved ones. I remember when he comforted Pastis about his father-in-law’s passing <3
Thehag 25 days ago
So sweet.
_lounger_ 25 days ago
Pig had the best words
Solaricious Premium Member 25 days ago
I’m having problems spotting the pun – otherwise a very touching strip today…
brooklyn51 25 days ago
Thank you, Stephan. It was ten years ago yesterday and I still talk to her. <3
farnhazenbrep 25 days ago
What the heck? I’m not supposed to get blurry screen from a Pearls strip!
mckiogima 25 days ago
Is anyone else crying?
apb1952 Premium Member 25 days ago
Wow. I wasn’t expecting this. I’m guessing Pastis lost someone very special? The strip is beautiful.
Queen of America 25 days ago
Pig never gets hugged. This is so sweet.
Bruce388 25 days ago
Mine moved 20 years ago. I still miss her.
bigplayray 25 days ago
Only 6 months. I miss my Mom!
donut reply 25 days ago
My wife went through hours of therapy when our son died. All she would have needed is this comic.
Moonglow Premium Member 25 days ago
I still cry over Stephan’s December 9, 2018 comic in memory of his beloved dog Edee.
markkahler52 25 days ago
Pig SCORES!!
up2trixx 25 days ago
Well, here is me, a 52 year old man, reading the Sunday comics and crying. D*mn you, Pastis! And thank you.
moondog42 Premium Member 25 days ago
We don’t deserve Pig, but Pig is always there anyway….
Zombiwoman 25 days ago
Don’t know about anyone else, but made me tear up… [sniff]
Pgalden1 Premium Member 25 days ago
Oh Pig … perfect
AGED_ENGINEER Premium Member 25 days ago
Very appropriate on a personal level this particular day. Thanks Steph.
old_geek 25 days ago
And there is always hope…
joannesshadow 25 days ago
I almost cried. Then I smiled, remembering my mother.
Buoy 25 days ago
When the body moves on, the vacancy creates a great sense of loss, but love lives on and is eternal, and the connection to loved ones will always be there for us. I like to think it is a bond that can never truly be broken, and will one day, some how, renew itself.
I am heartened to see so many positive and numerous comments here. May the trolls someday know this kind of love,
Ginny Premium Member 25 days ago
Did Pastis lose someone near and dear? It sounds like it.
James Noury Premium Member 25 days ago
Absolutely the best.
tato Premium Member 25 days ago
Thank you, Stephen.
pamela welch Premium Member 25 days ago
Nicely done, Stephan ♥♥♥
Mr Pets 25 days ago
That was beautiful!
rayloholdridge 25 days ago
As a recent widow, this one made me cry. Again…
Curiosity Premium Member 25 days ago
I sense a Story here. But there’s no way I would knowingy intrude enough to find out what it is. Pig is right, you know……
Saurischia 25 days ago
We just finished Monk on Netflix last night. This is so relevant to the show.
princesshickory Premium Member 25 days ago
OMG, that’s so beautiful…
INTP 25 days ago
Darn it, Pastis, that hit way too close to home.
mdavidholmes 25 days ago
Too many of these now.
JoeMartinFan Premium Member 25 days ago
We should all have a friend like Pig.
Lionel Lomax Premium Member 25 days ago
My partner of 22 years died just last Sunday night. This really hit home.
xs11e 25 days ago
Thank you, pig. Thank you, Stephen. It’s been 4 years but the hurt has never eased, today you made me cry, I needed to cry. Thanks again.
esarde 25 days ago
Once again, Stephan nails it!
DaBump Premium Member 25 days ago
IF that’s all there is, I might as well forget everybody I loved who has passed — it won’t make any difference to them, and I can go on without missing them. Yeah, doesn’t work that way, so it’s just sad. They’re just gone, and all that’s moved is where I file the memories of them as those fade away. I’m glad I don’t have to feel that’s how it is.
AppleCrusher292 25 days ago
pig is really nice.
Warhaft 25 days ago
❤️
Sparkys44 25 days ago
Touching… and caring!
yvesley 25 days ago
Comic strips should not make you cry.
listmom 24 days ago
Thank you for this one, Steph. I have too many friends who became widowers in the last few years. This is just lovely.
Cosfather2 24 days ago
Wow, just wow…. Hits deep….
Faustus Mitternacht 24 days ago
That hits pretty close to home.
eddi-TBH 24 days ago
Pig knows the truth.
David Middleton Premium Member 24 days ago
Brilliant.Personal and Brilliant
Rabies65 24 days ago
It’s been 13 years.
gregmead1956 24 days ago
I just received an email from a student of mine who lost a family member. In my response, I sent them this strip.
Asharah 24 days ago
Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft starshine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.
Infinite2012 Premium Member 24 days ago
This hit hard. It’s been 3 years since I lost my husband of 43 years only 3 days after our anniversary. Then my 92 year old mother passed away in January. Still having a hard time with it all. You never forget, just keep going on, and living in the memories.
danielcolf1997 Premium Member 24 days ago
awwwwww this one was really sweet
wildlandwaters 24 days ago
wow… this is… touching
lindz.coop Premium Member 24 days ago
Perfect for me today…I lost a really special cat 2 years ago today…due to a callous vet screw up. I look at his pix most nights and keep my memories of him alive.
steve7701 Premium Member 24 days ago
Is there a Nobel Prize for comics? Or just give Pig the Nobel Peace Prize.
mholding 24 days ago
wow…
backyardcowboy 24 days ago
Thank you for a timely strip Stephan. I lost my wife 2 1/2 months ago. The house feels emptier and I feel old from it. Pig makes a very good point.
Paul1963 24 days ago
Pig is a good person.
jbruins84341 24 days ago
This is my favorite aunt’s birthday. She would be 93 today. Thanks.
miletich 24 days ago
In memory of my beloved Mom, & Brother, who have gone on before me. Thank you Stephan, one of the very Best messages of all time! Thank you.
miletich 24 days ago
In memory of my beloved Mom, & Brother, who have gone on before me, Thank you Stephan!
miletich 24 days ago
In memory of my beloved Mom, & Brother,Thank you Stephan!
L Thomas Premium Member 24 days ago
WOW! So perfect. I have ordered 4 copies of this panel to send to friends who are going through mourning. THANK YOU Stephan. You are completely forgiven for all the bad (and wonderfully funny) puns!
MistertannerJeff Premium Member 24 days ago
This was definitely not the usual strip we’ve come to expect and enjoy from Mr. Pastis. But somehow he KNEW that I definitively needed this right now. Thank you!
Enoi 24 days ago
An unusually poignant and beautiful strip for Stephan and Pearls. Thank you.
LeslieBark 23 days ago
Thank you, Stephan. My mom died August 17, 2024 … she was 101 years old. Today’s strip is perfect!
cracker65 23 days ago
Wow give that pig a medal.
Chris Littler 22 days ago
Pig is now my favorite comic strip character.
Gail Sherman Premium Member 21 days ago
In a world full of Rats, be Pig.
CRAIG Duck Premium Member 19 days ago
I haven’t been this emotionally touched by a comic strip since Calvin and Hobbes baby squirrel story line
jrshutt 18 days ago
For the first time ever, I bought a copy of this strip and it’s already arrived. Maybe some day I’ll be able to look at without crying. Thank you, thank you, Stephan.
NickDragos 7 days ago
This came out just after my wife’s mother passed away. She wrote to Mr. Pastis to express how much these sentiments comforted her after losing not just a Mom, but her best friend.