After an overnight flight to meet my father at his latest military assignment,
my mother wearily arrived at Rein-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.”