“I was invited by Sony to attend an expenses paid trip to the Ricki and The Flash Screening and Press Junket in New York City. All opinions are my own.”

You never stop being a mother.

In Ricki and the Flash, Ricki found this out- she had tried to find her role as a mother after she had left her family to follow her dreams of becoming a rock star. After he ex-husband remarried and her children were being mothered by someone else.

Life can be ever-so messy at times. Things happen. Relationships are broken. But one great moral that Ricki and the Flash has woven within it is that it’s never too late. Relationships can always be mended. Especially mother and daughter. The emotions are tricky to navigate and it will definitely not always be comfortable, but it’s certainly not impossible.

“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” – Chinese Proverb

My own story of mother-daughter relationship is quite different than Ricki and her daughter Julie.

I don’t have a daughter of my own, but it is a dream of mine. I used to think that I would be happier with all boys, looking back at how difficult I was to raise. “I’d just rather not go through that” I’d think.

But the truth is, I watch my mother now, and while her relationship with both my brother and I is healthy and wonderful, it’s definitely different. There’s no denying. We have a bond that is special. We fight harder, and we mend stronger. She has been there for me through moving across the country, getting divorced, and now plays a HUGE role in helping me raise my two children. Grandma does not even begin to describe the way she interacts with my kids. She is a second mother. She never stopped being a mother. I am so grateful for her and her constant desire to just keep on mothering, no matter what.

If you’re relationship with your mom or your daughter is not where you want it to be, I encourage you to reach out. Extend an olive branch. It’s never too late. With some hard work, relationships will always be able to push through the yucky and come out on the other end with a hug.

Better yet, give your mom or daughter a call and invite them to go see Ricki and the Flash starting on August 7th, and then have dinner or coffee afterwards. It will be a great conversation starter, and might be just that push you need to help get your relationship back on track.