After an overnight flight to meet my father at his latest military assignment, my mother wearily arrived at Rhein-Main Air B

in

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.''