Yesterday we went to renew the kids' US passports. As their mother, I was required to be present, and to raise my right hand and swear to tell the truth. But, as a European citizen when we travel to the US I have to stand in a different line at passport controls.
In our family we handle our bilingual and bicultural differences easily and smoothly. We, in fact, feel enriched by them. But when we encounter bureaucracy our different nationalities are a problem. And it's strange at international borders to have our family distinguished and split up.
Coincidentally, Tom and I met twenty (!) years ago today, in a foreign land for both of us.
