The three mothers I have known best in my life—my mother, my mother-in-law, and my wife—have all been remarkable women in their own right. Between the three of them they have birthed and raised a total of eight children. Many of who now have children of their own. It has been a privilege for me to witness these three women, all of whom were fierce guardians of their families.My own mother wasn’t blessed with longevity. She died when I was sixteen. She never met any of her grandchildren, not to mention the great grandchildren, who began to arrive three years ago.