Summary
This quote suggests that the speaker's mother had a significant influence on shaping their cultural identity. By stating that "Mom ran the house," it implies that their mother was in charge of the household and played a central role in shaping familial dynamics and traditions. As a result, the speaker learned and adopted Portuguese customs, traditions, and possibly even values and language while growing up. This quote underscores the importance of the mother's role in shaping cultural identity within the family.