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After an overnight flight to meet my father at his latest military
assignment, my mother wearily arrived at Rhein-Main Air Base
in Germany with my eight siblings and me - all under age 11.
Collecting our many suitcases, the ten of us entered the
cramped customs area.
A young customs official watched our entourage in disbelief, "Ma'am," he said, "do all these children and this luggage belong to you?" "Yes, sir," my mother said with a sigh. "They're all mine." The customs agent began his interrogation: "Ma'am, do you have any weapons, contraband or illegal drugs in your possession?" "Sir," she calmly answered, "if I'd had any of those items, I would have used them by now." The official allowed us to pass without opening a single suitcase. |