I was leaving for a two-day conference, and my seven-year-old daughter, Katherine, was becoming overly clinging and teary.
I was mystified at her emotional reaction until I heard her say to my husband,
"Daddy, I have a loose tooth. If it falls out while Mommy is gone, do you know how to handle this tooth fairy thing?"

My youngest brother Tony had just completed Army basic training and was on leave prior to his first tour in Germany. I am an Army National Guard pilot, and my other brother is my crew chief. Since we were headed to the air base where Tony was to catch his overseas transport, we offered to take him.
