What if

TOPGuy, it's okay to grieve. I lost my best friend of 13 years last year. It hurts at times still. I can't say how long it's going to hurt. But it's okay to miss him. He's dead, but he isn't gone. Chuckles is as big a part of your life as your wife and child. Losing a beloved family member hurts, but I can guarantee you that pretending he's still alive can lead to more hurt every time you face reality. I suggest you remember him in some way. My family feels your pain. Us readers are here for you!

TOPMaybe not keep him alive as in have him appear in the comic as though he still was, but add little things from time to time that remind you of him. I used to listen to a podcast where one of the hosts lost her cat, and previously in every episode she'd say "want a cookie?" and he'd meow. After he passed, they decided to play a sound bite of her saying that and him meowing at the end of every episode to keep his memory alive.

TOP🫂 chuckles will always be in these comics, if that's in the ones to come or he's in the previous ones for us to read he is someone we all now knew because of you. Thank you for sharing him with us. Don't force stuff yourself into this if it's not what you want, maybe do some throw back comics... like the best of chuckles, or best of mr baby. Just have a break from the pen IF you need it.