Concrete Academic

Matriarch to us all you are.
Amid the darkest night, the brightest star.
Mischievous humor and twinkling eyes,
A smile to rival brightest skies.
Nor can I forget that rapier wit,
Enough to chop you down to size, or make you stop—and ponder life a bit.
Will I one day be someone like you? Strong and wise, in control and caring, [...]

How do we balance honouring our mothers, fathers, and other elders against the upbringing of others whose relationships with their elders were fundamentally different?
Many religious and cultural traditions have a variation on this principle. There is a practical and social benefit to according the guardians of our youth proper respect. Ideally, bonds are sown in [...]