Dear Ann Landers: Your lovely Mother's Day column brought to mind a favorite story I read in an ancient copy of Reader's Digest. Here it is:

A Mother of the Year was being interviewed and was asked aobut her sizable brood. "Do you have a favorite?" the interviewer asked.

"Of course I do," was the answer. "Every mother does."

The interviewer was surprised at this mother's candor and asked, "Would you mind telling us which is yours?"

"Not at all," came the soft reply. "It is the one who is sick -- until he or she gets well, and the one who is gone -- until he or she gets home."

IRVING, TEXAS

I always say my favorite boy in the whole world or favorite girl in the whole world ;). If I had two of the same gender then I would use thier ages... HAHA. My mom did that to us and it drove us nuts! We ALL wanted to know who the *favorite* was. My mom didn't have favorites though. We would draw a picture and ask who was better - the answer only changed to reflect our ages... "Well Rachel, in the 10 year old catagory your is the best, and Sara in the 7 year old catagory YOURS is the best!"
Followed by groans from us... HAHA.