You may not know Susan Gamble's name, but you could have her artwork in your pocket. Susan, an Air Force wife and a Master Designer for the U.S. Mint, created the flip side of the state quarters for Alaska, Oklahoma and Washington, as well as many other coins.

She spoke to me by phone from her home in Texas for the April 19 Spouse Calls.

Susan and her colleagues, nine designers in all, are responsible for developing artwork for all U.S. coins -- circulated, commemorative and collectible. Susan is able to submit her coin designs electronically and necessary paperwork via real mail, so this is a job that travels with her.

As we get older and our parents age, we will someday be expected to return the favor of providing care for those who nurtured us in our early years.

I heard a few weeks ago from my good friend Lisa, who suggested that I write a column about the difficulty of caring for aging parents from a distance.

For military families this issue arises often as our parents grow older and we continue to travel around the country and the world.