Have you ever heard or read something and wished you'd said that? That happened to me when I was sorting material for this month's Activated magazine--a tribute to mothers. Ian Bach said of his mother just what I would say of mine. Many would probably say the same, and for good reason: Mothers are one of God's universal gifts, yet of the billion or two mothers in the world, He somehow manages to find the perfect match for each of us. Thanks, Ian!

The World's Greatest Mother
By Ian Bach

If I called you "The World's Greatest Mother"
Some people might say that I'm biased.
"My, he's got a nerve
To claim his mum deserves
Such an accolade, this planet's highest!"
So I've come up with numerous findings,
With evidence strong and empirical;
And do hereby attest
That indeed you're the best!
(Please forgive if I wax a bit lyrical.)
You carefully nurtured your children,
As plants in your garden so fair.
Grew us kinder and wiser
With love's fertilizer,
And warmed us with sunshine and care.
You fed and you clothed and you taught us,
And kept us in line when essential,
But at the same time
Gave us freedom to climb
To new heights, to reach hidden potential.
I could surely provide further data,
But my time and my paper's run out.
So here's my submission,
You win the position,
Beyond any shadow of doubt!

Keith Phillips
For the Activated family

Ian Bach is a full-time Family volunteer in the Middle East.