(Strip Number 4309, Original Publication Date, 19 February 1983)
Panel 1: John walks in the front door and is greeted by Mike and Lizzie. The two of them smile broadly as they happily babble "Daddy's home! It's Daddy! What did you bring us? Want hug! Me first! Daddy! Daddy!"
Panel 2: A smiling Elly says "Hi, Honey! Did you have a good flight? Are you tired? We missed you!"
Panel 3: As he walks down the hall basking in the glow of a family that missed him and is glad to see him, he thinks to himself that sometimes, he thinks that he goes away just so he can come home again.
Summary: As I said, this is a fairly nice strip that I sort of like. John seems to be grateful for the people in his life, they're glad to see him because he's missed and the punchline isn't too sickly-sweet. Too bad Lynn's notes will magically wreck the mood.