I always had a healthy respect for my mama. She was unquestionably the boss of our home, and her position as ‘the buck stops here’ queen was never in dispute. She didn’t put up with sass or backtalk and we never had to question our boundaries as children or teenagers. Her subjects consisted of my siblings and me and we were ever safe and secure under her watchful eyes and fearless demeanor. When it came to her family, she was unapologetic, taller than a hurricane fence, and as fierce as a she-bear with her cubs. She was, quite simply, beautiful.