My mom, Maria Martorell-Fox (1934-2016), wanted to be remembered as a strong, independent woman who was both a devoted family member and a professional role model, especially for young women interested in the sciences or in healthcare. She wanted her friends and family to focus not on mourning her passing, but on celebrating her life. Over the last several years of her life, she began writing down her memoirs as a creative project. I've collected these with my brother Alex's help, and edited them into this collection of essays, which speak in her own inimitable voice. I hope it will help you remember her the way she wanted to be remembered.